Joe Marchant returns! Ranking England’s midfield options as ‘world-class’ talent’s PREM comeback creates a headache
Joe Marchant is back in the England picture, but what does that mean for Steve Borthwick's depth chart?
England have received a major boost ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Joe Marchant making a return to PREM Rugby.
The 29-year-old former Harlequins back has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with Sale Sharks, joining from Top 14 side Stade Francais.
Marchant made his England debut in 2019, and has tallied 26 caps for his country at the time of writing. He also featured for Steve Borthwick’s side during the 2023 World Cup, before joining the Parisians.
‘I’d love to get back in the mix for England’
He had also previously been linked with a move to Saracens last season, but feels the ‘direction’ the Sharks are headed was enough to commit his future to the North West outfit.
“When I spoke to Alex Sanderson (Sale director of rugby), he explained the direction he wants to take the club and the ambition he has,” Marchant said upon signing his deal with the Sharks. “It’s a club that wants to win trophies and I’d love to be a part of that.
“Sale have always been a tough team to play against, so I’m really looking forward being a part of that next season.
“There are a lot of lads at the club who I’ve played and trained with for England and it’ll be great to play with them again. They have some of the best players in the country and I can’t wait to play with them.
“I’d love to get back in the mix for England, but I know that first I have to get back into the flow of the Prem and put in some good performances for Sale.”
Sanderson added: “Joe is a world-class player. He’s got aspirations to play in the next World Cup, and to do that, he needs to play for a team that’s competing for the Prem. He believes that’s us.
“He’s got X-Factor on both sides of the ball and in the air. He’s got real gas, and if we find him in those outside channels he’ll make something happen. But his ability to read the game defensively is just as impressive.
“He’s excited about playing outside George Ford. He’s some player, and we can’t wait to get him here.”
But with Marchant now back in the frame for England selection, it gives Borthwick even more food for thought in his midfield.
The Autumn Nations Series campaign showed England are starting to build some serious depth in the centres, a position which had not so long ago been a previously troubled area. Fraser Dingwall and Max Ojomoh both impressed in their respective outings at inside centre, while Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade also gave a good account of themselves at 13 too.
With Marchant back in the mix, plus other options also making their way back from injuries, it leaves Borthwick with a positive headache ahead with one eye on the 2027 World Cup, but what does the depth chart look like?
Here is our take on just that.
Inside centre
Front-runner: Fraser Dingwall
The term ‘glue player’ gets tossed around when describing Dingwall, which is possibly a touch unfair. Yes, he organises the attacking system and holds the shape together, but this autumn proved he is more than that.
His ability to slot in at first receiver was so crucial in bringing out the best in George Ford, seeing the Sale Sharks fly-half drop back a touch deeper into those pockets where he thrives, but blended that with some solid playmaking of his own, notably combining with Freeman and Lawrence on several occasions to create linebreaks.
Around that, he also showcased some really intelligent running of his own. His try against the All Blacks was the perfect example of that; running a superb tight line off Lawrence, picking exactly the right gap in the defence and then timing his burst onto the ball to waltz over the line.
Dingwall also grew into the series as it went on and became more and more influential as a result. The 12 shirt does seem to be his, for now at least.
In the mix: Max Ojomoh, Seb Atkinson
Summer tourists Ojomoh and Seb Atkinson seem the two most likely competitors for Dingwall’s spot at 12. Ojomoh, in particular, really staked a claim in England’s win over Argentina last weekend, being named Player of the Match for his efforts, but Atkinson also impressed against Los Pumas on the summer tour.
Crucially, both players bring a similar sort of game to this side, and while it’s slightly different to Dingwall’s style, it’s no less effective. Both men offer serious strike in attack, given their respective frames and speed, but yet blend that with deft handling and playmaking skills.
That combination was on full display in Ojomoh’s stellar outing on Sunday, as he nabbed one try and two assists on the way to victory. Atkinson has also shown that with the rose on his chest, with his link-play acting as a key cog in their wins over Los Pumas in July.
Both men also have a lot of their best rugby ahead of them, but giving them more exposure at this level will only speed up their development.
Outside bet: Luke Northmore, Owen Farrell, Ollie Lawrence
Around them, Luke Northmore, Owen Farrell and even Lawrence could all be options to play at inside centre. While Northmore and Lawrence are more an outside centre than an inside, and Farrell remains outside of the Test picture, they would all certainly do a job if called upon here.
They have all worn the number 12 shirt across their careers, with Farrell and Lawrence both doing it on the Test stage too, and would all add some continuity to the squad. Farrell’s playmaking skills, as well as his leadership and experience, make him an ideal candidate to come into the side, while Lawrence and Northmore also act as that punch option.
Again, though, they seem slightly behind the names above in the pecking order right now, but that could change soon.
Wildcards: Jamie Benson, Rekeiti Ma’asi-White
Harlequins ace Jamie Benson and Sale Sharks man Rekeiti Ma’asi-White are also clearly in Borthwick’s thoughts moving forward, with the pair both featuring for England A this month. It still seems some way off for them at the moment, but being included in the A set-up shows they are clearly potential options and could be fast-tracked into the senior side if needed.
They also bring some good skillsets to the mix, with Benson’s playmaking and Ma’asi-White’s explosive carrying in the mould of what Borthwick wants from his centres.
Outside centre
Front-runner: Ollie Lawrence
He might have been listed as an option for the number 12 shirt, but Lawrence will likely lead the charge to wear 13 for England following the November Tests. The Bath man had to be patient after missing out against Australia, but shone in the wins over Fiji and the All Blacks. His time on the sidelines following an Achilles injury has seemingly made him a hungrier, more powerful player, and he’s combined that with his usual speed and eye for a gap.
Lawrence’s outing against the All Blacks felt like a real start of a new chapter for Lawrence at Test level, proving he can be the real focal point he’s threatened to become in his career to date.
13 is possibly the most congested position, but Lawrence does seem in pole position at the moment.
In the mix: Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Joe Marchant
As mentioned above, 13 is heavily congested right now, and Freeman, Slade and the returning Marchant will all be looking for a spot in this side. Freeman and Slade both impressed in their one outing in the midfield this autumn, and could certainly have given Borthwick food for thought in that respect. They are very contrasting players, with Freeman more of that punch option ball-in-hand, while Slade’s silky handling and eye for space see him become another playmaker in attack, but they both have plenty of Test experience under their belt and will only add to this side.
Marchant is almost a different option entirely to the ones above. His speed and mazy running make him a real threat ball-in-hand, but he also combines that with some expert game-reading to spawn in the right areas to score. That ability to sniff out a chance and then make it count is such an underrated skill to have, and would give this England attack a fresh dynamic as a result, particularly with their kicking game.
Outside bet: Luke Northmore, Oscar Beard, Will Joseph
Harlequins duo Northmore and Oscar Beard, and ex-Quin and current Gloucester ace Will Joseph, will also be looking to stake a claim for the England 13 shirt heading towards the World Cup.
While the other options above do seem to have the upper hand on them, they all bring Test caps to the mix, with Northmore of two and Beard and Joseph on one apiece, so it wouldn’t be out of the relm of possibility.
Wildcard: Angus Hall
Another England A man who could make the jump is Angus Hall. The Saracens ace is still very fresh to professional rugby, but has impressed for the U20s side and in his senior appearances for the North London club and is clearly a player Borthwick has his eye on moving forward.
READ MORE: RFU chief weighs into Tom Curry-Felipe Contepomi bust-up after investigation launched
