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• Marler announces retirement from professional rugby

  Joe Marler has announced his retirement from professional rugby, revealing he will "finally jump off the rollercoaster" following Harlequins' clash with Bristol Bears on Friday.

  The former England prop will bring the curtain down on his decorated career at the age of 34.

  Marler has spent his entire club career with Harlequins, winning two Premiership titles, the European Challenge Cup and making over 200 appearances.

  He also earned 95 caps for England, who he represented at three World Cups - helping them reach the 2019 final and 2023 semi-finals - while also winning three Six Nations Championships.

  "The time has come to finally jump off the rollercoaster and walk away from this beautifully brutal game," he said in a statement. "On Friday night, I'll play my last-ever match for Quins. After all these happy years, it's over.

  "I feel lucky to have pulled on the jersey worn by so many idols of mine, and so many better players.

  "That's an incredible thing to me. I got to stand alongside so many great players and people that have made this club so special."

• Borthwick taking positives from 'frustrating' Autumn Series

  England ensured they ended 2024 on a high note as they claimed a 59-14 victory over Japan, and coach Steve Borthwick is taking the positives from a difficult Autumn Nations Series.

  Borthwick's team lost three matches on the spin, going down to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, earlier this month.

  However, they at least rallied to wrap up their year with an emphatic victory on Sunday, ending a five-match losing streak.

  Captain Jamie George crossed twice in the first half, with Ben Earl, Sam Underhill and Ollie Sleightholme also going over before the interval, while Marcus Smith was on form with the boot.

  Japan, coached by former England boss Eddie Jones, did score through a fantastic try from Naoto Saito, but England kept their foot on the pedal after half-time.

  George Furbank rounded off a slick move after latching onto Tommy Freeman's exceptional pass, while Luke Cowan-Dickie went over twice, either side of Tom Roebuck's maiden international try, with Kazuki Himeno grabbing another consolation for the visitors. 

  While Borthwick knows England have plenty to improve on, he feels they are not too short of where they wish to be.

  He said: "Reflecting on it, the obvious overriding feeling will be one of frustration to have come so close to getting results but not actually be able to convert them, I think that will be one aspect.

  "The other aspect would be real positivity around some of the aspects we've seen the team play.

  "I want them to be brave with the ball, I want them to play fast. I think we've seen growth in that area over the last four weeks."

  Reflecting on Sunday's display, he added: "I'm really pleased with the way the players approached the game and the way they kept their discipline to play the way we want to play.

  "You can see the identity they're trying to build as a team, one that moves the ball and can score in different ways.

  "Some of the tries were exceptional. Over the past four weeks, we've scored some really outstanding tries. With the skill level that's in the group, I'm really pleased they took it onto the grass."

• Townsend sure Scotland have more to show after superb win over Australia

  Gregor Townsend insists Scotland can still play better despite ending their 2024 calendar on the high of an impressive 27-13 win over Australia at Murrayfield.

  Finn Russell surpassed 400 Test points after scoring one of four Scotland tries and kicking seven points in a game where Scotland led by 21 points at one stage.

  Head coach Townsend was delighted to send supporters home happy but was not happy with all aspects of his side's performance on Sunday.

  "If you catch me in 10 minutes I'll be in a better mood. There was more in us. We weren't as accurate in the first half," he told BBC Sport.

  "It shows we can get a win when we're not playing as well. There were moments in the game that I loved. We saw what it meant to our supporters to get a win against a quality team.

  "We're better than some of the aspects today, but I'm proud that the players found a way to win.

  "I'm inwardly happy, but if there was a game next week it would be a tough review and there would be a lot of things to improve."

  Captain Sione Tuipulotu crossed in the first half for Scotland, who led 7-3 at the break after Noah Lolesio's had put Australia in front.

  The hosts took command after the break with Duhan van der Merwe, Josh Bayliss and Russell going over in the second half.

  Wing wizard Harry Potter scored on his Australia debut to add some credit to the scoreline for the visitors and Scotland showed great defensive resolve after that to ensure no more points were conceded.

  Skipper Tuipulotu collected the Hopetoun Cup in front of his grandmother and said: "It was an amazing moment. When she handed over the cup she said 'you got 'em!'

  "I'm super happy and it makes the day all worthwhile, when we win like that. We won playing our rugby, we scored some brilliant tries. We know how dangerous our back three is but it was a group effort today and that's what I'm most pleased about."