Marler prepares for fitting finale against Bears
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It is fitting that Joe Marler will call time on his rugby career against Bristol Bears – after all, he was so important for Harlequins that they flew him in on a helicopter for the most famous semi-final of them all.
The Miracle of Bristanbul is best remembered for the remarkable Quins comeback and the free-flowing attacking rugby they produced that day at Ashton Gate.
But the foundation of that comeback was the set-piece stability provided by Marler, who played 94 of the spectacular 100 minutes that day.
He did all that after being flown in for the game via helicopter from the birth of his fourth child, who was born on the Thursday before the match.
It was testament to his importance for Harlequins, who went onto claim their second Gallagher Premiership Rugby title a week later at Twickenham in another cracking encounter, against Exeter Chiefs.
At 34, Marler will draw the curtain on a 15-year stint for Quins, for whom he has played 285 matches since his debut back in 2009.
Add in 95 caps for England and a tour with The British & Irish Lions to New Zealand in 2017, and Marler will go down as one of the greatest props the country has ever produced.
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In a Harlequins team that could score at will when they were clicking, the strength of their set-piece was often undervalued.
And yet with Marler on one side and Will Collier on the other, Quins spent more than a decade as one of the most reliable scrummaging units in the league, capable of putting the squeeze on opposition front rows and racking up points and field position week in, week out.
Marler called time on his England career during the recent Autumn Nations Series, and will now hang up his boots for good after one final game.
It will mark the end of an era for one of the most colourful players Harlequins and England have ever seen.
Quins head coach Danny Wilson paid tribute to Marler saying: “Joe should be incredibly proud of his fantastic career.
“He’s a remarkable character on and off the pitch and hugely popular with our supporters. In retirement he should rightly be recognised for his outstanding achievements for both club and country.
“In the modern game, it’s rare that players stay at one club for the duration of their professional career and that can’t be overlooked. It speaks volumes of Joe’s connection to the club, its staff and the players he’s shared the pitch with throughout the years.
“He’s one of rugby’s big characters and will be missed. Everyone at the club wishes Joe, his wife Daisy and their young family the very best in this next chapter.”
