Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant must outshine their domestic rivals when the Gallagher Prem season starts after being warned they will not walk straight back into England’s autumn squad.
Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth has outlined what is required from the Sale duo in the five competitive fixtures that take place before Steve Borthwick names his squad for the second phase of the Nations Championship.
Lawes and Marchant, members of the 2023 World Cup squad, have become available for England selection again after returning from spells at French clubs to join the Sharks over the summer.
Both players would be valuable assets for Borthwick, Test centurion Lawes providing experience, leadership and back-row pedigree while Marchant offers another option in the problematic midfield department.
England will closely monitor their progress over the coming weeks and for all their pedigree, they need to prove themselves again.
“We want as much quality as we can have in the league but they are going to have to go and play well,” Wigglesworth said.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Lawes announced his retirement after the last World Cup but his return to these shores has reignited his desire to add to his 105 caps, raising the possibility of his involvement in Australia 2027 as a 38-year-old.
Under Rugby Football Union rules, only players competing in the Prem can be selected by Borthwick and by returning from France he comes into consideration.
“Everyone’s case is individual in where you want to play your rugby and what you want to do,” Wigglesworth said. “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’.
“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.”
PA
