England prop Joe Marler announced his retirement from all rugby at the same time that he confirmed he will be ready for the Six Nations 2024. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book England Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The loose-prop, who made his debut in 2012, has 88 caps for his nation and was a vital member of Steve Borthwick’s team during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In the process of winning a Grand Slam, he missed just four games before making his 42nd international match versus France in March 2016.

After pulling out of the ensuing summer tour to Australia, he had a hiatus from the game before captaining England to their historic triumph over Scotland in March 2017. Joe was a regular for the British & and Irish Lions in their midweek matches and was included in the squad for their trip to New Zealand three months later.

To spend more time with his family, he declared his international retirement in September 2018. However, he then changed his mind and decided to play in the most recent World Cup. He disclosed today that the end of his career is near in an interview with The Times:

“Although I’ll be giving up rugby in 2025, I’m available for England.”

Marler on the Way of Success

After briefly going on loan to Worthing and Esher, Marler signed the Harlequins Academy in 2008 before earning his team debut in the 2009–2010 campaign. Marler has said that his time in the lower divisions was an essential learning curve that allowed him to get knowledge in all aspects of prop trading.

He specifically mentions the technical scrummaging assistance he received from a former coach named Bobby Walsh. He can now cover the tighthead side of the scrum on occasion thanks to the expertise he’s got at this level. Marler made his debut with the Harlequins in the EPCR Challenge Cup final that saw them defeat Stade Français in May 2011.

The next season, Marler started in the 2011–12 Premiership final triumph over Leicester Tigers. He was a key player in Harlequins’ first-ever League title victory. Due to his duties as England’s captain for the 2015 World Cup. Marler took Chris Robshaw’s place as Harlequins captain for the 2014–2015 campaign.

Marler at the Harlequins

In the subsequent season, Marler gave teammate Danny Care the reins as Harlequins captain.

In January 2016, it was revealed that Marler had agreed to a new deal with the team. He debuted with the Harlequins later that year. But they lost to Montpellier in the EPCR Challenge Cup final. In 2021, Marler won his second league title after starting for the Harlequins in the highest-scoring Premiership final ever. A 40-38 triumph over Exeter Chiefs.

Marler led the England U18

Marler captained the England U18 team in 2008. He was a member of the team that finished second to New Zealand in the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship. He played for England U20 in the 2009 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. In the 2010 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. He scored two tries in a match against Wales the next year.

He also scored a try in England’s 4th-place finish at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship during a loss to South Africa. To cover David Wilson’s injuries during the 2010 end-of-year tests. He received a call-up to the national England team. Marler made his England A debut against Italy in January 2011. Rugby fans can book France vs England Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Marter made his senior debut on June 9, 2012, starting in the first test loss against the Springboks. He was also chosen for the 2012 summer tour of South Africa. Marler was chosen for the 2013 series versus Argentina, after which he was a regular on the team.

Joe Marler in Six Nation 2016

Head coach Stuart Lancaster began Marler for the home team in the pool stages of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. However, they were unable to advance to the knockout round. Marler was part of the squad that head coach Eddie Jones selected for the 2016 Six Nations Championship. He entered the game off the bench as England defeated France to win their first grand slam in more than ten years.

In the final round of the 2017 Six Nations Championship, Marler was granted the privilege of captaining the side for the first time in his 50th cap against Scotland the following year. Additionally, he began the tournament’s last round of defeat against Ireland. Guaranteeing that England would not complete successive grand slams and ending a record-tying eighteen consecutive Test triumphs.

Decided to retire in 2018

In September 2018, Marler announced his retirement from rugby at the international level. But he later changed his mind and returned to the England team for the Rugby World Cup 2019. In the semi-final match against New Zealand, Marler replaced Mako Vunipola in the second half, and he went on to win the match as England finished runners-up, losing to South Africa.

Marler’s 10-week suspension came into effect in March 2020 after he grabbed Alun Wyn Jones’ genitalia during a Six Nations encounter versus Wales. Due to the coronavirus shutdown, all of Marler’s scheduled matches were postponed. So the ban expired without him missing any. England defeated France with Marler coming on as a second-half substitute for Ellis Genge.

Marler made his way back to the England team in September 2023 to compete in his third World Cup with the national team the Rugby World Cup of 2023. In the 54th minute of England’s match against Argentina, he took Ellis Genge’s place.

Marler’s journey in various other teams

Marler was chosen on April 19, 2017, as one of 41 players for the June and July 2017 British & and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. He did not play in the Test series against New Zealand. Although he did make five appearances in the tour games.

Marler, a member of the Barbarians squad since 2019, made his debut against England in June 2019. He returned to the England team in 2022, playing in matches against the All Blacks XV and the Barbarians. Under the coaching of Ronan O’Gara and Scott Robertson.

Disciplinary issues

Marler was fined £20,000, which was to be donated to an equality charity. He was banned from playing for two matches in April 2016 for using derogatory and racist remarks directed toward Samson Lee during the England vs. Wales Six Nations match on March 12. For grabbing Alun Wyn Jones’s genitalia during the England vs. Wales Six Nations match in 2020.

He was given a ten-week match ban in March 2020. Marler was suspended for six weeks, four of which were suspended. In December 2022 for behavior that was detrimental to the game and involved using derogatory language after an altercation with Jake Heenan. The flanker for the Bristol Bears.

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The Six Nations, formerly known as the Home Nations Championship and then the Five Nations is the oldest rugby union tournament in history to be contested continually. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book France Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The most recent championship is expected to mark the 129th time that the tournament has been held in some capacity. Of course, in its 140 years of existence, there have been many legendary teams, players, and competitions that have captured the public’s attention.

These include the thrilling Wales team that dominated the 1970s, and the formidable England team of 2003 that won both the World Cup and the Six Nations.

Six Nations History: The Greatest Rugby Championship

The Home Nations Championship gave rise to the Six Nations, which is nearly 50 years older than most other current sporting competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. In actuality, the first 1883 tournament started in 1882 when England defeated Wales 2-0 on Saturday, December 16, at Swansea. In addition to winning the inaugural Triple Crown trophy. England was victorious in the inaugural competition that involved Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and themselves.

From 1883 until 1909, every year but five (1885, 1888, 1889, 1897, and 1898) saw the Home Nations Championship held. Only in 1909, when France was added to the tournament schedule, did the Five Nations officially begin. There was an annual tournament from 1910 to 1931, except 1915–1919 because of World War I.

Despite failing to secure a single championship, France’s new lads managed to gather six wooden spoons at the bottom of the standings. The Home Nations returned to the competition between 1932 and 1939 after a brief French departure, but World War II imposed a six-year break. The match between the Five Nations began when France returned in 1946.

Italy’s inclusion in the late 1990s marked a significant shift in competition after defeating Scotland in their first Guinness Six Nations encounter. Despite their past successes, Italy has struggled to compete in 23 competitions.

Most successful Six Nations squads

With 39 titles apiece, England and Wales are officially the most successful teams in the championship’s history. Nevertheless, a number of these were shared titles, achieved before the application of tiebreakers like point differential. As a result, England narrowly leads Wales in terms of total titles won 29 to 28.

In terms of titles gained during the Guinness Six Nations era, England also surpasses their competitors. Wales and France have won six of the competition’s victories since 2000, while England has won seven. Despite the Scots winning the final Five Nations in 1999, neither Scotland nor Italy have won a Six Nations championship since the year 2000. Ireland, on the other hand, has won five since that time.

Biggest loss in Six Nation’s History

France crushed England to the sword in the fourth round of the 2023 championship at Twickenham, putting on a dominant show. Les Bleus won 53-10, handing Steve Borthwick’s team its worst-ever loss at the renowned stadium. It was worse than the 42-6 setback they suffered against South Africa in 2008 – a game that Borthwick began.

It was not far from the largest away team victory margin in the history of the tournament. Ireland currently holds the record after defeating Italy 63–10 in 2017. Italy also had the worst loss, either at home or away, in 2001 when they were thrashed 80-23 by England. Rugby fans can book France vs England Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

‘Grand Slam’ and Six Nations rivalry trophies

Ireland had a fantastic St Patrick’s Day weekend in Dublin. They won the Grand Slam and the Triple Crown in addition to becoming the winners for the first time since 2018 after defeating England 29–16. The Grand Slam is earned by the tournament victors if they win every game, and it is arguably even more highly coveted than the championship trophy.

Given the tiny differences in quality between the contestants year over year, this has historically been a far rarer feat than just winning the crown. With 13 Grand Slam victories, England has surpassed France and Ireland in the last two championships.

England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales compete in the Triple Crown, which is an extension of the former Home Nations Championship. Ireland defeated England, Scotland, and Wales in 2022 and 2023 to take the title of Triple Crown. The Calcutta Cup, which pits Scotland against England, is the oldest trophy.

Top players in Six Nations history

Although 144 years of competition is undoubtedly a big sample size to choose from when determining the greatest players in the history of the competition, we at The Sporting News have tried our hardest to narrow the field down to six legendary players one from each country since the creation of the modern Guinness Six Nations in 2000.

England: Jonny Wilkinson

Jonny Wilkinson, a player who hardly needs an introduction, is most remembered for his drop-goal kick that helped England win the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2003. He was perhaps the face of international rugby during the 2000s. With 35 points in England’s 80-23 victory over Italy in 2001.

Wilkinson holds the record for the most points in a single match and is the player with the second-highest total in the competions, behind only Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara. The fly-half was instrumental in England’s wins in the 2000, 2001 and 2003 tournaments.

The latter a Grand Slam as well as in their victory in 2011 near the end of his career thanks to his fierce defense and pinpoint accuracy from the tee. No player on the earth could match Wilkinson’s sublime exploits on the field for a spell in the middle of the 2000s.

France: Antoine Dupont

Toulouse scrum-half Antoine Dupont is close to becoming a French rugby icon, despite only being 26 years old and having only made his Six Nations appearance in 2017. Dupont became the first Frenchman to win the Six Nations Star of the Championship award twice as the captain of Fabien Galthie’s winning team in 2020 and 2022.

With the World Cup looming in France later this year, he has quickly established himself as Les Blues’ rugby poster boy. His stock is unlikely to decline anytime soon.

Ireland: Brian O’Driscoll

O’Driscoll is perhaps the best player to have ever played in the Home Nations, Five Nations, or Six Nations championships. He has set several records in the competition that will probably stand for a very long time. The centre, who rose above his starting position in the early years of professional rugby union, leads the Guinness Six Nations in tries scored with 26.

He has made 65 appearances, which is the second-highest total among all players in the competition’s 140-year history. In addition, O’Driscoll has had six nominations for Player of the Championship and has won three of them. These records, set in competitions, solidify the Dubliner’s status as one of the greatest players of the modern period.

Italy: Sergio Parisse

In the same way, O’Driscoll is without a doubt the greatest player to have ever played for Ireland. Iconic Italy captain Parisse is unmatched by anyone in the Azzurri uniform. The No. 8, who was born in Argentina, has 69 caps overall all of them as starts. He has been nominated eight times for Player of the Championship. But he has never taken home the trophy!

From 2008 until his international retirement in 2019, Parisse led the Azzurri, leading Italy to nine consecutive Guinness Six Nations championships. It’s evident how crucial Parisse’s elite efforts were for Italy that he was selected for player of the competition seven times in this time frame. It will be a while before the Six Nations witnesses a player of his calibre again.

Wales: Shane Williams

Several Welsh players, including Alun Wyn Jones and Sam Warburton, might be argued to be the nation’s greatest Guinness Six Nations players ever. The small winger Shane Williams, who overcame all of his doubters over a 12-year international tenure to become a famous figure in Welsh rugby, lurks behind the two forwards.

The five-foot-seven-inch winger is sometimes the shortest player on the field by a significant margin. He scored 22 of his 58 conversions for Wales in the Six Nations. He became the first winger to earn Player of the Tournament in 2008. Williams more than contributed to Wales’ two Grand Slam victories in 2005 and 2009, never letting his girth stand in his way on the field.

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France has often hosted its Guinness Six Nations matches in the stadium, which has a capacity of over 80,000, ever since it opened in 1998. Numerous memorable rugby matches have taken place in the Stade de France over the years. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book France Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

On their territory, Les Bleus have completed four Grand Slams and engaged in a lot of other games that will live on in the annals of time. Here are some of France Six Nations victories at the Stade de France.

France 24-17 England in 1998

Les Bleus won on their first night at the stadium, defeating England on their way to completing back-to-back Grand Slams. After just 11 minutes, Philippe Bernat-Salles became the first player to score at the stadium, drawing a crowd of slightly more than 77,000 spectators to Saint-Denis.

The visitors were defeated by a try by Neil Back and four penalties from Paul Grayson, thanks to a further try by Christophe Dominici. A boot by Christophe Lamaison, and drop goals by Thomas Castaignède and Jean-Luc Sadourny. This proved to be the foundation for the successful opening of their new home.

France Vs England In 2002

Two years later, England exacted their revenge when they won their first-ever match at the Stade de France in 2000 thanks to five penalties scored by Jonny Wilkinson, which sent them to the Championship. France, however, got back to winning ways in Le Crunch, winning 20–15, a result that belied their dominance.

The most memorable aspect of it is Serge Betsen’s unrelenting pursuit of Wilkinson, which prevented the fly-half from having any chance to direct play as he frequently did against France. Due to scores from Gérald Merceron and Imanol Harinordoquy, Les Bleus rushed into a 17-0 lead in the first 20 minutes of play. However, a well-executed solo effort from Jason Robinson kept England in the game.

Nevertheless, France was always in charge and extended their victory to 20-10 until Ben Cohen’s last-minute try gave the visitors some breathing room. The Grand Slam dream was maintained with this victory, which was the first over England since the Stade de France’s inaugural match in 1998.

France 44-5 Ireland in 2002

Four weeks later, the dream would come true as France defeated Ireland 44-5 to win the first Grand Slam in the history of the Six Nations. Les Bleus easily won a record-breaking defeat of Ireland and achieved a third Grand Slam in six years thanks to two tries each from Serge Betsen and Nicolas Brusque.

The only Irish point on the scoreboard came from a try by Keith Wood, as Merceron’s boot continued to expand the lead. Aurélien Rougerie scored the other try. It’s not often that players get the chance to claim a Grand Slam at home, and when they do, it’s not always done so with the same flair as France in 2002.

France 24-21 England in 2004

It’s not often that France has the chance to complete a Grand Slam at home, but in just two years after their previous one, it would. This time, despite the visitors’ earlier loss to Ireland, it was the defending champions England that stood in the way. Both teams were still vying for the crown.

If the outcome was not as clear-cut as it was two years ago, it was still the same, with another Grand Slam party breaking out in Paris. Similar to the previous two years, France jumped out to an early lead and led 21-3 at the half, thanks to a try from Harinordoquy to go along with Dimitri Yachvili’s 19 points, which included a try of his right before halftime.

Ben Cohen and Josh Lewsey’s field goal with four minutes remaining gave England a scare, but the hosts held on to cap off an incredible evening. Rugby fans can book England Vs France Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

France 33-10 Ireland in 2010

That would take another six years after Les Bleus had swept everything in front of them four times in eight years. The 33-10 victory over Ireland a few weeks prior proved to be the most significant, however, Morgan Parra and François Trinh-Duc booted to a 12-10 victory over England at the Stade de France in the last match.

A decade later, Ireland was poised to change their only victory at the Stade de France, which came in 2000 by a score of 27 to 25. With players like Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara leading them, Declan Kidney’s team came in as the reigning Grand Slam champions.

However, the past gave way to the future as France ended Irish ambitions of winning the tournament twice in a row and sparked their dreams with a commanding performance. William Servat and Yannick Jauzion’s first-half scores placed the hosts ahead, and on the hour, Clément Poitrenaud’s third try sealed the victory even though David Wallace scored for Ireland.

France 20-18 Wales in 2017

Although rugby matches aren’t supposed to last an hour, France made the most of their time and defeated Wales in a way that will never be forgotten. Les Bleus last defeated Warren Gatland’s team in the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final, shattering the hearts of the Welsh people. I had not seen that in almost six years.

Since then, Wales had been in control, winning a Grand Slam of their own in 2012, but in the most thrilling of circumstances, France at last achieved a long-overdue victory. The hosts had the ideal start thanks to an early Rémi Lamerat score, but Leigh Halfpenny’s consistency from the tee maintained Wales in the game and gave them a five-point advantage as the clock ran out.

As France laboured at the Welsh line, the clock had long since turned red. With only a few seconds remaining, Damien Chouly raced across, and Camille Lopez scored to complete the triumph.

France 25-13 England in 2022

The twelve years that France supporters had to wait for the upcoming Grand Slam must have seemed like a lifetime to those who thought the six years between the Grand Slams in 2004 and 2010 were a long time. As they say, “absence makes the soul grow fonder.”

Les Bleus’ decisive triumph over England in 2022 at the Stade de France provided ample proof of that. Les Bleus had won their ninth Slam. A minute before halftime, François Cros scored to put Fabien Galthié’s team in the driver’s seat. Gaël Fickou’s try in the 14th minute was the ideal approach to calm any worries in Paris.

Though there were moments of concern that England may spoil the fun after a try by Freddie Steward in the second half, captain Antoine Dupont’s score on the hour marked the end of the match and cemented France’s return to the top table.

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