Marler says anxiety over England made him hope for red card

Joe Marler has claimed that the anxiety caused by knowing he must report for England duty has previously driven him to seek to get sin-binned or sent off.

Marler unexpectedly announced his international retirement last week in order to spend more time with his family but the 28-year-old prop is to continue playing for his club Harlequins.

It was in the aftermath of a defeat at Bristol on 22 September that he finally decided his 59-cap Test career was over, knowing he had walked a selfcreated disciplinary tightrope for too long.

The day after the 20-13 loss at Ashton Gate, Marler phoned coach Eddie Jones to inform him of the news as England were gathering for a threeday camp ahead of the autumn series.

“First of all, the Bristol game, I played like an absolute helmet, which often happened around England time,” Marler told The Rugby Pod. “That sort of mindset manifested… the anxiety I’d get about having to leave and go away again would start to manifest in giving away even more dull penalties and looking for outs.

“[I was] looking for a yellow card and looking for a red card because if I could pick up a ban then that was an easy way out without actually pulling the trigger. After that game, I said I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep doing this rollercoaster. It’s not fair on my family and it’s not fair on my club.”

The Rugby Football Union said Marler will not face disciplinary action for his comments, which he later sought to clarify on social media.

“I have never deliberately done anything on a rugby pitch – or off it – to get a ban.” Marler tweeted. “I was simply reflecting on my occasional irrational behaviour when England camps were looming and trying to understand my actions a little bit better.”