Nations Championship: Joe Marchant says England's selection policy tough to deal with for players outside Prem

28.10.2026, 17:40 skysports.com

Recalled England centre Joe Marchant admits the RFU selection policy which prohibits players being selected from outside of the Prem is tough for players abroad to deal with.

For three seasons between 2023/24 and 2025/26, Marchant - who has 28 caps - was ineligible to represent England due to playing with Stade Francais in France's Top 14.

The 30-year-old returned to Prem Rugby with Sale Sharks over the summer, and has since been included in England's squad ahead of November's Nations Championship.

However, players like Jack Willis at Toulouse, Tom Willis at Bordeaux and Kyle Sinckler at Toulon still cannot be picked.

"The whole time I was there, I wanted to be back playing for England," Marchant told Sky Sports. "We obviously know the rules, but I just wanted to be back in an England shirt.

"It's a tough one, and obviously it's a big debate at the moment. But especially when I was there, I just wanted to be back in the England mixer.

"That's why, when the opportunity came to go to Sale, it was a good one for me at the time."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England have an upcoming three-day training camp ahead of their Nations Championship schedule, for which Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player squad who will gather at England's performance centre at Pennyhill Park.

England face Australia, Japan and New Zealand throughout November, in a series that represents their final opportunity to test themselves against southern hemisphere opposition before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

For Marchant, he admits returning to the England fold has happened quicker than he imagined, while he now has hopes of forcing his way into Borthwick's England plans for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

"I'm absolutely buzzing, it's been really good to be back into camp. All the boys have been great. It's been obviously a lot of new faces since I left, but I'm really enjoying being back in with the lads," he said.

"I was just hoping, to be honest. I was obviously coming back into England, and I wanted to put my best foot forward and see if I can get in the mixer.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"There's still some selection stuff to go, and hopefully I'll be in the mixer when it comes in a week's time.

"I think [I have] just a little bit more experience all round. The Top 14 is a very competitive league. There's lots of good athletes all around, and I think it's one of those where you learn the real intense moments to win and lose a game.

"Hopefully, I can bring a little bit of that back.

"I feel like a better player. I feel like I've gone there and now feel a bit refreshed. Obviously, there's a change of [England] set-up, change of environment. You've got to learn new things.

"As a kid, all I wanted to do was play for England, and I've been very lucky that I've been able to do it a few times. If I can do it again, that'd be awesome, and at a World Cup even better."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Friday November 6Ireland vs Argentina (8.10pm)

Saturday November 7Italy vs South Africa (11.40am)Scotland vs New Zealand (2.10pm)Wales vs Japan (4.40pm)France vs Fiji (8.10pm)

Sunday November 8England vs Australia (3.10pm)

Friday November 13France vs South Africa (8.10pm)

Saturday November 14Italy vs Argentina (11.40am)Wales vs New Zealand (2.10pm)England vs Japan (4.40pm)Ireland vs Fiji (8.10pm)

Sunday November 15Scotland vs Australia (3.10pm)

Saturday November 21England vs New Zealand (2.10pm)Scotland vs Japan (2.10pm)Ireland vs South Africa (4.40pm)Italy vs Fiji (4.40pm)France vs Argentina (8.10pm)Wales vs Australia (8.10pm)

Finals Weekend (Twickenham)

November 27Sixth-place North vs Sixth-place South, Third-place North vs Third-place South

November 28Fifth-place North vs Fifth-place South, Second-place North vs Second-place South

November 29Fourth-place North vs Fourth-place South, First-place North vs First-place South

July 4New Zealand 34-32 FranceJapan 27-10 ItalySouth Africa 45-21 EnglandAustralia 31-33 IrelandFiji 24-39 WalesArgentina 38-47 Scotland

July 11New Zealand 47-17 ItalyJapan 20-36 IrelandSouth Africa 42-28 ScotlandAustralia 26-42 FranceFiji 8-73 EnglandArgentina 35-21 Wales

July 18Japan 15-42 FranceAustralia 57-10 ItalySouth Africa 43-0 WalesNew Zealand 40-21 IrelandFiji 17-33 ScotlandArgentina 24-31 England