The testimony comes days after former Wales captain Ryan Jones revealed he was suffering from dementia praecox, possibly linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease caused by repetitive head shocks.

"It's terrible for Ryan to learn this and to go through this ordeal," the 32-year-old international (83 caps) told TalkSport.

"To hear that struck a chord with me because it's been talked about a lot in rugby over the past few years with all the concussion findings," added Marler.

But, he said, "to be honest, I've always been like an ostrich because all this scares me".

"I remember having a concussion a few seasons ago - I had taken a big hit trying to tackle Billy Vunipola. I was in a daze and the only thing I remember is being found in a room and to see the physio enter”, he said.

The trainer then asked Marler if his wife and children were present in the stadium.

"I took a break and I broke down. I had no memory of having children and it really scared me," he said.

A hundred former professional players, including former All Blacks and Toulon pillar Carl Hayman, former English world champion hooker Steve Thompson and Welshman Alix Popham, have launched legal proceedings against World Rugby, in order to claim compensation after diagnoses of neurological disorders.

For Marler, if these contacts to the head are inherent in the practice of rugby, their serious repercussions on the health of the players can no longer be ignored.

England prop Joe Marler is tackled by South African prop Steven Kitshoff (l), during their Autumn Tour match on November 20, 2021 at Twickenham Stadium, southwest London Glyn KIRK AFP/Archives

"It's true that I've tended to stay ostrich up to now, but the more it goes, the more things you learn, and the more diagnoses are made, so it's really sad," he said. he thinks.

The Harlequins mainstay admitted to playing despite a concussion last season, before being reprimanded at home by his wife Daisy: "She said to me + do you want to continue to be there for the children, or not? want to be there for me, or not?+".

© 2022 AFP