Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant have been given a clear message by England’s coaching staff: they need to demonstrate their worth in the Premiership before they can be considered for a place in the senior squad for the upcoming autumn internationals. The directive comes from defence coach Richard Wigglesworth, who emphasized that a strong showing at club level is essential for both players, who have recently returned to English rugby after spells in France.
The context for this warning dates back to the recent three‑day England camp that began on a Sunday, where head coach Steve Borthwick announced his provisional squad. Neither Lawes nor Marchant were included, despite both having re‑joined a Gallagher Premiership side – Sale Sharks – and thus meeting the eligibility criteria that require players to be contracted to an English club in order to be selected for the national team. Their omission was not a surprise to insiders, as the coaching team had indicated they wanted to assess how the two would adapt after playing abroad for French clubs Brive (Lawes) and Stade Français (Marchand) before re‑integrating them into the England set‑up.
Wigglesworth elaborated on the situation in a press interview, making it clear that the coaches are looking for tangible proof of form and fitness. "We want as much quality as we can have in the league but they are going to have to go and play well," he said, referring specifically to Lawes, a centurion with over 100 caps, and Marchant, a versatile midfielder who has been a useful option for England in the past. 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 the two back in the English top flight.
"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 noted. He even mentioned a chance encounter with Marchant, saying, "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." Under the current Rugby Union regulations, only players who are contracted to a Premiership club are eligible for England selection.
By signing with Sale Sharks, both Lawes and Marchant have satisfied that requirement, putting them back in the pool of potential candidates for the national side. However, eligibility alone does not guarantee a call‑up; performance on the field remains the decisive factor. Lawes, who announced his retirement from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup, has sparked speculation about a possible return for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, when he will be 38 years old.
His experience and leadership are highly valued, and many fans hope his resurgence in the Premiership could earn him a place in the squad for that future tournament. Wigglesworth reflected on the personal motivations behind Lawes’s comeback: "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'." The coach praised Lawes’s determination, noting that such a mindset, combined with his extensive experience, should put him in a favourable position for 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," Wigglesworth concluded. For Marchant, the situation is similar. The 27‑year‑old has previously earned caps for England and shown versatility across the back‑row and midfield.
His time in France provided valuable exposure to a different style of play, but now he must translate that learning into consistent performances for Sale Sharks. The coaching staff will be monitoring his contributions in the Premiership closely, looking for the same level of impact that they expect from Lawes. The stakes are high, as the Six Nations Championship is set to commence on November 6, with England’s opening match against Australia scheduled for November 8. The coaching team will be finalising their squad in the weeks leading up to the tournament, and strong displays in the domestic league could tip the balance in favour of Lawes and Marchant.
In summary, while both players have satisfied the technical eligibility requirements by returning to an English club, the on‑field proof of form, fitness, and commitment remains essential. Their performances for Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership will be under close scrutiny, and only by excelling at that level will they earn a place in Steve Borthwick’s England squad for the autumn internationals and potentially beyond, including future World Cups. The message from the England coaching staff is unequivocal: deliver high‑quality performances week in, week out, and the door to international rugby will reopen.