How Joe Marchant is relishing his 'surreal' England return

Joe Marchant described his return to Pennyhill Park in Surrey as “surreal,” after England’s training centre last visited the hotel in August 2023. He is back with Sale for the summer, having earned his first recall to the England squad following that move. Marchant left Harlequins for Stade Francais in the Top 14 and says he enjoyed getting to know teammates, many of whom he had only seen on TV. He also reflected on being told he likely wouldn’t play for England while in France, turning the detour into a learning experience and aiming for a place in the next autumn group.