Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant have been told they must prove themselves at Sale Sharks before they can be considered for England’s autumn international roster. Steve Borthwick, the England head coach, recently announced the squad for a three‑day training camp that began on Sunday, and both Lawes and Marchand were omitted despite their return to the Gallagher Premiership with Sale, which technically makes them eligible for selection. The prevailing narrative has been that Borthwick wanted to observe how the two players, who spent the previous season playing for French clubs Brive (Lawes) and Stade Français (Marchand), would adapt back to the English game before reinstating them into the national side. Their performances in the Premiership would act as a barometer for their readiness at the international level.
Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth has now put the matter into clearer terms, confirming that England’s coaching staff are waiting to see how Lawes and Marchand fare in the domestic competition before handing them a place in the senior squad. "We want as much quality as we can have in the league but they are going to have to go and play well," Wigglesworth said when asked about the centurion Lawes and the versatile midfield option Marchand.
"There are some good players in the room and to pick them you have to leave someone else out, so they would have to go over and above that, I would say." Wigglesworth went on to praise Lawes, describing him as a "legend" of English rugby with a wealth of experience. "It’s great to have Courtney back. He has unbelievable experience, is an England legend and has been flying in pre‑season, as everyone is. There is a real excitement about watching him back in the Premiership, so I’m enjoying that," the defence coach remarked.
He also mentioned a chance encounter with Marchand, noting that the two live near each other. "I actually bumped into Joe Marchand walking around living quite close to me, so I caught up with him and it is great to have him back," he added. Under current World Rugby regulations, only players who are contracted to clubs in the Gallagher Premiership are eligible for selection for England. By signing with Sale Sharks, both Lawes and Marchand have re‑established their eligibility, putting themselves back in the pool of potential candidates for the autumn internationals and the upcoming Six Nations.
Lawes retired from international duty after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but his return to English soil has sparked speculation that he could still be in the frame for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, when he will be 38 years old. Wigglesworth highlighted the personal motivations behind such a decision, saying, "Everyone’s case is individual in where you want to play your rugby and what you want to do. I couldn’t have given up the chance of England because I didn’t play as much as loads of people. But Courtney has said ‘I’ve got an itch here and I’m coming back’.
How good is that as a statement? ‘I am coming back because I want to do this.’" He continued, "That level of determination and the qualities he has should put himself in a good spot.
Experience, he has certainly got that. We are keen to watch him play." The coach’s comments underline the importance of both form and attitude; a strong showing for Sale will be essential for Lawes and Marchand to convince the selectors that they deserve a place alongside the current England cohort. The timing of the discussion is crucial because the Nations Championship (formerly the Autumn Internationals) is set to kick off on November 6, with England’s first match against Australia scheduled for November 8.
The coaching staff will be finalising their selections in the weeks leading up to those fixtures, meaning that performances in the early rounds of the Premiership will be under close scrutiny. For Lawes, the challenge is twofold: he must demonstrate that his physicality and leadership can still match the demands of top‑level rugby, and he must show that his tactical awareness remains sharp after a season abroad.
At 38, his conditioning and injury management will also be closely monitored. For Marchand, the focus is on consistency in the midfield, defensive reliability, and the ability to break the line – qualities that made him a valuable squad member during his previous England stints. Both players have expressed enthusiasm about returning to the Premiership. Lawes has spoken about the “itch” he feels to compete at the highest domestic level, while Marchand has highlighted the benefit of playing alongside familiar English teammates and under a coaching staff that knows his strengths.
Their shared goal is clear: to perform at a level that leaves no doubt about their suitability for the national side. In summary, while the doors to England selection are technically open for Lawes and Marchand, the practical pathway to re‑entry lies in delivering standout performances for Sale Sharks. The England coaching panel, led by Borthwick and supported by Wigglesworth, will be watching closely, weighing the players’ experience against the form of other Premiership talent. As the autumn series approaches, fans can expect a competitive selection process, with the final squad reflecting both the depth of English rugby and the individual determination of players like Lawes and Marchand to earn their place once again.