England prop Marler signs new Quins deal

England prop Joe Marler has signed a new long-term contract with Premiership club Harlequins.

The 29-year-old has made over 200 appearances for Quins since making his debut in 2009 and there should be many more to come.

One-club man Marler has earned 71 England caps and toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions three years ago after making his presence felt at The Stoop before he was a teenager.

Marler said: “I am a Harlequin, and I love the club. Growing up with Harlequins as my boyhood team.

“I remember getting thrown out of The Stoop as a fan when I was 12 because I had tried to run on the pitch. Now I get the chance to continue my journey with great friends, team-mates, coaches, and fans, without getting thrown out… yet!

“I’m immensely proud to have played for Quins over 200 times so far, I even managed to convince one of the previous bosses [Conor O’Shea] to make me captain once. 

“Even more so during this [coronavirus] pandemic affecting every single one of us, I cannot wait for my next opportunity to pull on the jersey, run out at The Stoop and welcome back the Quins family.”

What’s your favourite @JoeMarler moment?

Here are some best moments and stats, presented by @Refinitiv.#COYQ pic.twitter.com/vBeJ47NJWw

— Harlequins (@Harlequins) June 5, 2020

News of Marler’s new deal on Friday came after it was announced that the Premiership Rugby are planning for the season to resume on August 15, five months after it was suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Marler was banned for 10 weeks for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones’ genitals during England’s Six Nations win over Wales in March, but that suspension has now been wiped as a result of the hiatus.

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