Joe Marchant eyes England return after Sale switch
Joe Marchant does not want the 2023 World Cup to be his last act in an England shirt. The 30-year-old centre has joined Sale Sharks after three years in France with Stade Francais and says he wants to play Test rugby again. England head coach Steve Borthwick has told him the way back runs through the Premiership.
Marchant has 26 England caps, the last of them in the third-place play-off win over Argentina at the 2023 World Cup, according to the BBC. He was Borthwick's first-choice outside centre at that tournament. That is the midfield role outside the playmaker, part defender and part strike-runner. He started every England match in France except the pool-stage win over Chile.
Before his move across the Channel he played for Harlequins. Sale confirmed a long-term deal for Marchant from the start of the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM season, according to Sale Sharks. Stade Francais play in the Top 14, France's top league, as noted by Planet Rugby.
Borthwick's message was blunt. Go and play well for Sale first. Then force your way into the autumn squad conversation. Sky Sports reported that Marchant must outplay his Premiership rivals to earn a recall.
He is not alone in that queue. Courtney Lawes has joined Sale too, on a one-year deal for the 2026/27 season, according to Sale Sharks. Borthwick gave the veteran forward the same instruction. Prove it in England's league before any talk of a return.
Marchant's England story almost ended much earlier. He says Eddie Jones, Borthwick's predecessor as head coach, told him before the 2022 Autumn Internationals that he did not fit the mould and would not play at the World Cup. Borthwick then took charge and put him straight into the starting team.
Sale begin their season at home to Bristol on Saturday, 26 September. That is Marchant's first stage.
For fans, this is easy to follow. Big carries and hard tackles for Sale now could mean an England recall next. Marchant already knows how quickly that door can open and shut.
