Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant have been told by England’s coaching staff that they need to demonstrate their worth in the Premiership before they can be considered for a place in the autumn international squad. Steve Borthwick recently announced the roster for his three‑day training camp, which began on Sunday, and both Lawes and Marchant were omitted despite having re‑joined the Gallagher Premiership with Sale Sharks, thereby meeting the eligibility criteria for selection.
The omission was not a surprise to insiders. Both players spent the previous season playing abroad – Lawes with French side Brive and Marchant with Stade Français – and the England head coach wanted to assess how they would perform upon returning to English club rugby before reinstating them in the national side.
Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth has now confirmed that the final decision hinges on their displays in the domestic league. "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 former England centurion and the versatile midfield option.
He added that the squad is already packed with talent, and selecting any player inevitably means leaving someone else out. Consequently, Lawes and Marchant will need to exceed the already high standard set by their peers if they hope to earn a call‑up. Wigglesworth praised Lawes’ return, noting his "unbelievable experience" and status as an England legend.
He highlighted the excitement surrounding Lawes’ re‑entry into top‑flight rugby and expressed personal enthusiasm about watching him compete again. The coach also mentioned a chance encounter with Marchant, who lives near him, and described it as a pleasant reminder that the former England centre is back on English soil. Under the current World Rugby eligibility rules, only players who are contracted to clubs in the Gallagher Premiership can be selected for the national team.
By signing with Sale Sharks, both Lawes and Marchant have satisfied this requirement and placed themselves back in the selection pool. Lawes retired from international duty after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but his home‑coming has sparked speculation that he could still feature in the 2027 World Cup in Australia, even at the age of 38.
Wigglesworth emphasized that each player’s situation is unique, and that personal ambition plays a crucial role in deciding whether to pursue further England caps. He reflected on his own career, saying he would not have given up the chance to play for England despite limited game time, and he praised Lawes for his clear statement of intent: "I've got an itch here and I'm coming back." The coach underscored Lawes’ determination, experience and leadership qualities, suggesting that these attributes place him in a favourable position if he can back them up with strong performances for Sale. "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," Wigglesworth concluded. Both players now face the challenge of translating their international pedigree into consistent, high‑level displays week in and week out for Sale Sharks. The Premiership season offers a platform to test their fitness, skill and adaptability against some of the best club talent in the world. Success on this stage could see them added to the England squad for the upcoming Autumn Internationals, which kick off with the Nations Championship on 6 November and feature a clash between England and Australia on 8 November.
In summary, the message from England’s coaching hierarchy is clear: returning to the Premiership is only the first step. Lawes and Marchant must now prove, through sustained excellence on the field, that they deserve to be part of the national set‑up once again. Their performances over the coming months will be closely monitored, and only those who consistently deliver will earn the coveted England jersey for the autumn series.