Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant have been told by England’s coaching staff that they need to demonstrate consistent high‑level performances for Sale Sharks before they can be considered for inclusion in the senior national squad for the upcoming autumn internationals. The directive comes from head coach Steve Borthwick’s team, which recently announced the roster for a three‑day training camp that began on Sunday. Despite both players having re‑joined the Gallagher Premiership with Sale Sharks – a move that technically makes them eligible for selection – they were omitted from the initial camp list. The omission was not a surprise to those following the situation closely.
Both Lawes and Marchant spent the previous season playing abroad, Lawes with French club Brive and Marchant with Stade Français. Their return to English club rugby was intended to put them back on the radar of the national selectors, but the coaching staff wanted to assess how they would adapt back to the pace and physicality of the Premiership after a year away. Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth has now put the matter into clearer terms, confirming that the two veterans must first prove their form in the domestic league before earning a place in the England set‑up. "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 situation surrounding the centurion Lawes and the versatile midfield option Marchand.
He added that the competition for places is fierce: "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 also expressed personal enthusiasm about seeing both players back in the Premiership. "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 Prem, so I'm enjoying that," he remarked. He also recounted a chance encounter with Marchant, noting that the two live near each other: "I have actually bumped into Joe Marchant walking around living quite close to me, so I caught up with him and it is great to have him back." The regulatory framework of rugby union stipulates that only players who are actively competing in the Gallagher Premiership are eligible for national selection. By signing with Sale Sharks, both Lawes and Marchant have satisfied this requirement, re‑opening the door for potential call‑ups. However, eligibility alone does not guarantee selection; performance remains the decisive factor.
Lawes, who announced his retirement from international rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, has sparked speculation that his return to English soil could be motivated by a desire to extend his playing career at the highest level. At 38, he would still be eligible for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, and his wealth of experience could prove invaluable to a squad seeking leadership and depth. "Everyone's case is individual in where you want to play your rugby and what you want to do," Wigglesworth explained. "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'." Wigglesworth praised Lawes' determination, noting that such an attitude combined with his extensive experience should position him favorably for future selection.
"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," he added. For Marchant, the situation is similar.
The 27‑year‑old has shown flashes of brilliance during his stint in France, but the England coaching staff want to see how his skill set translates back into the Premiership’s faster, more physical environment. His versatility in the midfield – capable of playing both inside and outside centre – makes him a valuable asset, but the competition for those spots is intense, with several emerging talents also vying for attention. Both players now face the challenge of delivering consistently strong performances week in, week out for Sale Sharks.
Their contributions will be closely monitored not only by the national selectors but also by pundits and fans who are eager to see whether they can recapture the form that once made them fixtures in the England squad. The upcoming Nations Championship, set to kick off on 6 November, will see England open their campaign against Australia on 8 November.
The coaching staff will be finalising their squad in the weeks leading up to the tournament, and the performances of Lawes and Marchant in the Premiership will be a key factor in any last‑minute decisions. As the season progresses, the pressure will mount for the two to demonstrate that they can still compete at the highest level and contribute meaningfully to England’s ambitions on the international stage.