Photo via BBC Sport

Marchant set on England comeback after Sale arrival

Joe Marchant is targeting a spot back in the England squad following his switch to Sale Sharks after spending three years in the Top 14 with Stade Francais. The 30-year-old centre collected the last of his 26 international appearances during the third-place victory over Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, having started all but the pool fixture against Chile under Steve Borthwick.

His original choice to head across the Channel came when previous national coach Eddie Jones warned him in late 2022 that he was not in England's plans, though Jones was dismissed merely three weeks later.

Now readjusting to domestic rugby alongside fellow Sale signing Courtney Lawes, Marchant revealed that Borthwick wants him to prove his form in the Premiership before earning a Test recall. The former Harlequins back credits his time tackling the physical demands of French rugby with making him a more vocal and assertive player, even as he works to eliminate French communication habits from his training sessions.