Marler calls time on his international career at 34

Joe Marler has called time on his England career and will play no part in the rest of their autumn internationals campaign, citing the need to prioritise his family.

- Gerard Meagher

Marler, who whipped up a storm last week with his comments criticising the haka, announced his decision yesterday, conceding: "I can't do what I used to do as well as I once could."

The Sale loosehead prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been added to the England squad preparing for the match on Saturday against Australia. It is a first call-up for the highly rated Opoku-Fordjour, who can play on both sides of the scrum and was part of the England under-20s side who won the World Cup over the summer.

As revealed exclusively by the Guardian, Marler left the England camp at the start of last week, citing personal reasons, and made himself unavailable for the defeat against the All Blacks on Saturday. It is understood Marler arrived in camp last Sunday but told Steve Borthwick, the England head coach, and a group of senior players of his decision and returned to his family home.

While he was keen to stress last week that he was taking a "day-by-day" approach, the writing was on the wall when Marler left camp and he brings down the curtain on his England career with 95 caps.