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Joe Marler set to start in his final ever match of professional rugby
By Josh Raisey
Joe Marler has been named to start for Harlequins on Friday against the Bristol Bears in what will be his final game of professional rugby after announcing his retirement on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old will pull on the Quins quarters for a 286th and final time at home at the Stoop against a side placed two places ahead of them in the Gallagher Premiership in third.
Marler started the month in camp with England, but announced his retirement from Test rugby before their first match of the Autumn Nations Series against the All Blacks.
The prop is joined by one member of the England squad over the past month, captain Alex Dombrandt, who featured from the bench in England's losses to the All Blacks, Australia and South Africa.
Bristol, meanwhile, have rested their England internationals for the trip to southwest London.
Harlequins XV
15. Tyrone Green (79)
14. Rodrigo Isgro (2)
13. Oscar Beard (61)
12. Luke Northmore (71)
11. Cadan Murley (117)
10. Jarrod Evans (22)
9. Will Porter (28)
1. Joe Marler (285)
2. Jack Walker (70)
3. Simon Kerrod (109)
4. Irne Herbst (54)
5. Dino Lamb (98)
6. Jack Kenningham (56)
7. Will Evans (96)
8. Alex Dombrandt (C) (141)
Replacements
16. Nathan Jibulu (21)
17. Fin Baxter (56)
18. Titi Lamostiele (6)
19. Joe Launchbury (27)
20. James Chisholm (155)
21. Danny Care (381)
22. Jamie Benson (11)
23. Nick David (56)
Bristol XV
15. Rich Lane (42)
14. Jack Bates (42)
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou (12)
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (31)
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (48)
10. AJ MacGinty (43)
9. Kieran Marmion (32)
1. Jake Woolmore (157)
2. Gabriel Oghre (24)
3. Max Lahiff (94)
4. James Dun (40)
5. Joe Owen (19)
6. Santiago Grondona (3)
7. Fitz Harding (c) (79)
8. Viliame Mata (debut)
Replacements
16. Harry Thacker (119)
17. Yann Thomas (117)
18. Lovejoy Chawatama (3)
19. Steven Luatua (135)
20. Benjamin Grondona (10)
21. Oscar Lennon (11)
22. Joe Jenkins (18)
23. Benjamin Elizalde (5)
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Latest Comments
That's the trouble with these topics, no one wants to get down to the bottom of them, not NZR, not even Razor. He doesn't have the time, and certainly shouldn't (probably shouldn't have been tracking offsure players if we look at how he coached this year) be trying to coach the ABs with an eye towards proving he needs overseas players access, either. NZR will only buck once a clear case is made and I'm afraid the only way that is going to be made to them (other than us debating it's pro's and con's) is by things turning to sh!t.
I'm pro opening up eligibility btw, I just don't think your (repeated) reasons provide relevant points as to why that should happen (hence the difficulty in getting the change across the line with these 'many other commenters').
Go to commentsOh Oho - trouble in Paddyice
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