Sale had attempted to bring in Marchant before the current season but the centre still had a year remaining on his deal in Paris. But with Du Preez’s departure and the Sharks’ increased salary-cap spend – the club do not max out their cap but have publicly stated their ambition to do so – an opening emerged for the highly rated Marchant to join the squad in a real boost for director of rugby Alex Sanderson.
Marchant said: “When I spoke to Alex Sanderson he explained the direction he wants to take the club and the ambition he has. 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 that 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.”
Marchant played a central role in Borthwick’s first World Cup, in 2023, but has not won a Test cap since he started on the wing in the bronze final victory over Argentina. In that same tournament, he also started in the centre for the pool-stage win over the Pumas, the victorious quarter-final against Fiji, and the heart-breaking, last-gasp loss to South Africa in the semi-finals.
At Stade Français, the Parisian club coached by Paul Gustard who currently sit third in the Top 14 table, Marchant has been a regular in the starting XV since his arrival in November 2023. He played 26 matches for the club in their relegation battle last season and has featured in seven of a possible 10 rounds so far this campaign.
Marchant’s time in Paris was not just notable for his contributions on the pitch, either. A year ago, Marchant proposed to his girlfriend, Hollie Shearer – daughter of English football legend, Alan – having begun a relationship in 2022.
