Lawes and Marchant challenged to earn England recalls at Sale

The Guardian reports that Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant have been told they must outperform the players already in England's plans if they are to earn international recalls this autumn. Both men joined Sale Sharks during the summer after spells in France and are eligible for England selection again, but neither has been included in this week's pre-season camp.

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Lawes, 37, and Marchant, 30, last represented England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Lawes retired from international rugby after that tournament, then helped Northampton win the Premiership title before spending two years with Brive in France's second tier. Marchant played three seasons for Stade Francais before agreeing his move to Sale.

Their return to the English club game puts both players back within the Rugby Football Union's selection rules. However, The Guardian reported that England head coach Steve Borthwick left them out of the current camp, meaning the opening five weeks of the Premiership season will be their opportunity to press for inclusion in the autumn squad, which is expected to be announced in late October.

England senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth welcomed the added quality that Lawes and Marchant bring to the league. He also stressed that recalling either player would require leaving out someone already in the group, so their Sale performances would need to go beyond those of their positional rivals.

Lawes has argued that England should be able to select players based in France, although the current policy continues to exclude overseas-based candidates such as Jack Willis. Wigglesworth described Lawes's decision to return to England and pursue another World Cup as a strong statement of determination, while making clear that selection will depend on form.

England have also brought captain Maro Itoje back into the group after he was rested for the summer fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina. Attack coach Lee Blackett said Itoje had shown signs of fatigue during the Six Nations but now appeared hungry to return. The immediate focus for Lawes and Marchant, meanwhile, will be establishing themselves at Sale and producing the early-season form demanded by the England staff.