Marchant recalled by Borthwick for England training camp
Joe Marchant has returned to England’s training set-up after Steve Borthwick named him in a 36-player squad preparing for the autumn Nations Championship. The Sale Sharks centre had been unavailable since the 2023 World Cup because playing for Stade Français in France made him ineligible; his move back to England has opened the way for an international comeback.
Marchant, 30, has won 26 England caps and previously said he wanted to play for the national side again. The squad assembled for a three-day camp on Sunday, ahead of matches against Australia on 8 November, Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November. Courtney Lawes, who has also returned from France to join Sale, was not recalled.
In short
- Joe Marchant is back in England’s training squad.
- His return to Sale made him eligible again.
- England face Australia, Japan and New Zealand this month.
Explained simply
Joe Marchant is a centre, a position in rugby union responsible for linking the forwards with the backs and helping create attacking chances. He has played for England before, earning 26 caps, and has also represented club sides in England and France.
England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, selects players for the national team. Under England’s eligibility rules, players based at French clubs have generally been unavailable for selection, so Marchant’s return to an English club has made him eligible again.