Joe Marchant reignited his England World Cup dream after he confirmed his return home from France by signing with Sale Sharks.
Centre Marchant was a key figure for Steve Borthwick’s national side as they finished third in the 2023 global showpiece but hasn’t added to his 26 caps since.
That’s because he joined French side Stade Francais from Harlequins at the end of that tournament, making himself ineligible for international selection as a result under the RFU’s strict foreign rule.
But Marchant’s Sale switch for the start of the 2026/27 season means he will be back available to England head coach Borthwick from next autumn and for the 2027 World Cup. It will further add to England’s already-impressive depth of player talent.
England ended 2025 with a winning run of 11 Tests thanks to a first autumn clean sweep since 2017.
‘I’d love to get back in the mix for England but I know that first I have to get back into the flow of the PREM and put in some good performances for Sale,’ said Marchant.
Joe Marchant is set to return from Stade Francais to join Sale in a bid to make the England side
Marchant is engaged to Hollie Shearer (left) and a move to Sale makes sense
The 29-year-old is engaged to Hollie Shearer, the daughter of England and Newcastle football legend Alan Shearer.
So, a move back to the north of England also suits for family reasons.
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: ‘Joe is a world-class player. He’s got aspirations to play in the next World Cup and to do that he needs to play for a team that’s competing for the PREM.
He believes that’s us. He’s got X-Factor on both sides of the ball and in the air. He’s got real gas and if we find him in those outside channels, he’ll make something happen.’
Sanderson also confirmed he is expecting England flanker Tom Curry to go straight back into action against Exeter on Friday night.
Curry and England’s autumn ended in controversy after he earned the wrath of Felipe Contepomi for what the Argentina coach saw as a late tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia which left the Pumas back with a serious knee injury.
Contepomi accused Curry of bullying, pushing him and telling him to ‘f*** off.’
But Sanderson doesn’t expect his player to be banned and he should face the Chiefs.
England pair Jamie George and Tom Roebuck both face at least six weeks on the sidelines after suffering hamstring and foot injuries in the November-defining win over New Zealand.
Borthwick will hope to have the duo back for the start of the Six Nations when England face Wales on February 7.
England women’s wing Abby Dow has confirmed her retirement from rugby with immediate effect aged just 28 to pursue a career in engineering.
