Jones: I understand Marler’s decision

England boss Eddie Jones says he understands Joe Marler’s “reasoning” after the Harlequins prop announced his immediate retirement from international rugby.

The 28-year-old forward, who has won 59 England caps, told Quins TV he had made the decision to spend more time with his family.

Marler, one of British rugby’s most colourful and controversial characters, will continue to play for Quins.

Marler had a six-year international career, making his first and last England appearances against South Africa in 2012 and 2018, and also toured New Zealand last year with the British and Irish Lions.

His decision will be a big blow to Jones just a year out from the World Cup in Japan.

Although Marler is currently England’s preferred back-up loosehead to Mako Vunipola, he remained a key part of Jones’ plans and could have expected to be involved in this season’s autumn Test schedule, which features games against world champions New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Japan.

In a statement released by Quins, Jones said: “Joe is a great player and team member, so I am disappointed and we will miss him. But he has made his decision on personal grounds and we understand his reasoning.

“He’s a good guy - an honest, mature person who understands the demands of the game and the demands of family life. I have got to admire his honesty and the way he has gone about this.”

Marler withdrew from a three-day England training camp in Bristol earlier this week, citing “personal reasons,” while he also pulled out of England’s 2016 tour of Australia due to not being in the right frame of mind to play international rugby.

Prior to that Australia trip, he received a twoweek ban and £20,000 fine for calling Wales prop Samson Lee “gypsy boy” during a Six Nations game.

In his first match back he was then cited for kicking Grenoble forward Arnaud Heguy in a European Challenge Cup fixture.