Joe Marchant has been recalled to England’s training squad for next month’s Nations Championship, as Steve Borthwick faces injury disruption to his midfield options.
Marchant earns his first England call-up since the 2023 World Cup. His two-year spell at Stade Francais ended with his return to the Gallagher Prem with Sale this season, which makes him available for selection again. The 30-year-old is one of 36 players in the group that begins preparations on Sunday for the autumn opener against Australia.
Will Joseph, the Gloucester centre whose form has lit up the Prem over the opening four rounds, also earns a place. He is the younger brother of former England star Jonathan Joseph. He made his only Test appearance during the 2022 tour of Australia and will look to press his claim in the absence of Seb Atkinson.
Midfield concerns
Atkinson is pencilled in to start against the Wallabies at inside centre. He will join the squad at their Surrey base, but during this camp he will be limited to rehabilitating a knee injury. Borthwick also has to contend with the concussion suffered by Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who has not played since taking a head knock on club duty for Bristol on October 3.
Marchant, Joseph, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Slade and Max Ojomoh are the fit centres currently available to Borthwick.
Forwards and back row
Prop Fin Baxter returns to an England squad for the first time since December. He has made a successful comeback from a foot injury in Harlequins’ Prem victory over Saracens on Sunday. Courtney Lawes has not been able to force his way into the squad after also joining Sale following a spell in France, but he could be involved later in the autumn.
Chandler Cunningham-South is missing because of an ankle problem, but Ben Curry and Tom Pearson have been included as back row options. For now, Saracens’ Theo Dan has lost his place as third-choice hooker behind Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie, giving Bath’s Kepueli Tuipulotu his chance to impress.
Joining Atkinson in rehabilitation are Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, and Guy Pepper, who is recovering from a knee injury.
Fixtures
England open the second phase of the Nations Championship against Australia at Allianz Stadium in a fortnight. Their campaign continues with fixtures against Japan and New Zealand, and finals weekend completes the month’s action.