Joe Marler Retires, Becomes TV Contestant and England Performance Director

When Joe Marler, prop for Harlequins Rugby Football Club announced his retirement on 3 November 2024, the rugby world felt the loss of a true character. The announcement came ahead of his last appearance for the Quins on 8 November 2024 at the Stoop, London, where Harlequins faced Bristol in the Premiership clash. Marler said he was “jumping off the roller‑coaster” of the sport, a move that not only ends a 16‑year club career but also triggers a fresh chapter in media, coaching and even reality TV.

From Uckfield to International Stardom

Born on 7 July 1990 in Uckfield, East Sussex, Marler’s rise was anything but ordinary. He broke into Harlequins’ senior squad in 2009, racking up 285 appearances and helping the club win the 2011 European Challenge Cup, the 2012 Premiership title and the 2021 Premiership crown. His hard‑working scrummaging earned him 95 caps for England and a place on the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017.

Three Six Nations Championships (2016, 2017, 2020) and three Rugby World Cups (2015, 2019 runner‑up, 2023 bronze) built his reputation as a gritty, outspoken leader. He famously weathered a 10‑week ban in March 2020 for an ill‑judged grab on Alun Wyn Jones, a sanction that slipped by thanks to pandemic‑induced postponements.

The Final Whistle at the Stoop

The farewell match was more than a statistic; it was a storybook ending. Harlequins entered the game 12 points behind Bristol, yet Marler’s presence in the front row helped the Quins clinch a 27‑23 victory, his 286th and final club appearance. After the final whistle, he lifted his jersey, whispered “it’s over,” and received a standing ovation from a crowd that shouted his name for over ten minutes.

Post‑match, Marler reflected, “I’ve given everything to this game. It was beautiful, brutal, and everything in between. Now it’s time to write a new chapter.” That chapter, as it turned out, was already waiting on his phone.

From Pitch to Podcast and Performance Directorship

Within weeks of hanging up his boots, Marler launched the podcast Things People Do, a candid series where former athletes discuss mental health, locker‑room culture and life after sport. Episode 12 featured sports psychologist Dr. Megan Hughes, who praised Marler’s openness: “He’s showing younger players that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness.”

On 13 January 2025, during an appearance on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast hosted by ex‑England flankers Ben Youngs and Dan Cole, Marler revealed he had accepted the role of Performance Director for Team England Rugby. In that capacity, he will oversee athlete welfare, strength‑conditioning programs and the integration of sports‑science data—areas he said he’d always been “obsessed with” during his playing days.

His transition mirrors a broader trend of former players moving into governance roles. According to a 2024 Rugby Football Union report, 27 % of retired internationals now hold coaching or performance positions, a figure up from 15 % a decade ago.

TV Spotlight: The Celebrity Traitors

Marler’s media appetite didn’t stop at podcasts. He entered the BBC One reality series The Celebrity TraitorsArdross Castle, Scottish Highlands, premiering on 8 October 2024. The show pits well‑known figures against each other in a game of deception; each contestant can win £120 000 for a charity of their choosing.

Marler, representing the charity Rugby For All, quickly became a fan favourite, thanks to his quick wit and willingness to wear a “traitor” sash with a grin. In the first episode, host Claudia Winkleman asked him why a former prop would sign up for a mind‑games show. Marler chuckled, “Because after 16 years of scrums, I’m ready for a different kind of pressure.”

The programme has already drawn over 7 million viewers, making it one of the most‑watched reality specials of the year. Sports analysts note that Marler’s participation could broaden rugby’s appeal to a non‑sporting audience, especially younger viewers who follow reality TV.

Future Speculation: Could Marler Return?

Despite his emphatic retirement, whispers of a comeback have not faded. An article on 20 January 2025 from Ruck.co.uk titled “Not a drill – England legend Joe Marler comes out of retirement” suggested Marler might be weighing a return ahead of the 2025 and 2027 World Cup cycles. No official statement has materialised, but Marler’s recent media commitments have kept him in the public eye.

Rugby pundit Graham Rowe argues, “If Marler does decide to lace up again, the Quins would welcome his experience, especially with a short‑term injury crisis at prop.” Conversely, former England coach Eddie Jones cautions, “He’s built a solid post‑rugby career; a comeback could distract from his performance‑directorship duties.”

For now, the consensus among fans is a mixture of admiration and curiosity. The big question remains: will the man who once said he was “jumping off the roller‑coaster” ever hop back on?