England star CANCELS Premiership return as French club stand firm

Monday, 28 July 2025 at 20:14

byRugby Rucker

Joe Marchant will

not be heading back to the Gallagher Premiership for the 2025/26 season, despite heavy speculation linking him with a return.

The 29-year-old England centre, who started six times during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, had reportedly been on the radar of Sale Sharks. A move back across the Channel would’ve re-opened the door for England selection under current RFU rules.

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But those plans are now off the table.

According to RugbyRama, Marchant will remain in France and honour the final year of his contract with Stade Francais.

“Having arrived in the capital after the 2023 World Cup, Joe Marchant (29) will still wear the Stade Francais jersey next season and will honour the final year of his contract with the Parisian club.”

The report notes there was real uncertainty around his future just weeks ago.

“His future seemed unclear last month, and a return across the Channel was even mentioned, particularly by the British press, to Sale. But the England international (26 caps) never left the squad led by his compatriot Paul Gustard."

And Stade’s stance was firm from the start — there were no approaches to cut ties early.

“According to our information, no request for early release, nor even any offer of a contract buyout, has reached the Parisian management’s desk regarding him.”

Marchant, who can operate at centre or on the wing, will now be tasked with injecting firepower into the French side’s attack once again.

“The three-quarter centre, who is capable of playing on the wing, will therefore be tasked with revitalising the Stade attack during the coming season.”

For now, Marchant remains out of England contention — but firmly in Stade Francais’ plans.

Four Changes Andy Farrell Must Make for Lions’ Third Test vs Australia

Now, all eyes turn to the third Test. Here are four changes the Lions must make to finish the job in style.

#1. JAMES LOWE

Despite a classy offload for Beirne's try and some composed moments, Lowe was error-prone under the high ball and defensively vulnerable once again. A mixed bag leaning heavily toward underperformance.

BALLS 5/10: "One good flicked offload to Gibson-Park. Spilled a high ball, early in the second half. Composed take and footwork, on 57 minutes. Great step and offload for Beirne's try. His best, and last, contribution of the game."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "His try assist was the highlight of an otherwise poor performance from the winger who missed three of his seven tackle attempts, conceded a penalty and struggled in the air. He is a big moments player and produced that with a brutal fend and offload, but far from a complete performance."

Telegraph 3/10: "Lovely offload to put Beirne over but was another disappointing display. A liability once again in defence and several handling errors."

RUCK 4/10: "Lowe has looked off the tempo in both tests and today was another story of that. He never got going and was exposed hugely in defence. In attack he was nothing to fear for the Wallabies apart from his assist for Beirne."

Replacement: Duhan van der Merwe

#2. BUNDEE AKI

Grew into the game and made a crucial carry in the lead-up to Beirne’s try, but defensive lapses and an avoidable penalty undermined his overall contribution.

Express 5/10: "Not the huge carrier he is with Ireland, ineffective apart from one second half charge"

Telegraph 5/10: "Grew into the game and his carry set the platform for Beirne’s try. Suaalii slipped past him for Wright’s try and gave up a really dumb penalty."

Planet Rugby 3/10: " Caught out defensively by both Jake Gordon and Joseph Suaalii and conceded a penalty that Lynagh duly slotted. He made an incredible break which led to Tadhg Beirne’s try, but it was rather mystifying that he went the full 80 minutes today as he was a long way off his best."

Replacement: Sione Tuipulotu

#3. OLLIE CHESSUM

Busy but largely ineffective, Chessum struggled with the physicality of Australia’s second row and couldn’t spark the partnership with Itoje. Lions missed McCarthy’s bite.

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Quietly went about his performance but was accurate and efficient in doing so. He stayed on the right side of the referee’s whistle but was guilty of four missed tackles and conceded a turnover. Replaced on 55 minutes."

RUCK 5/10: "Chessum was mainly a passenger and struggled heavily against Skelton and Frost in both physicality and tempo of the game. The Itoje and Chessum partnership just didn’t seem to click the way the Lions would’ve hoped."

BALLS 5/10: "Was kept busy, mainly in defence, in the first half. Solid lineout option. Made 13 tackles but missed four."

Telegraph 5/10: "Was busy without being particularly eye-catching. Felt that the Lions missed McCarthy’s physical strength in the exchanges with Skelton."

Replacement: Joe McCarthy (If fit)

#4. ANDREW PORTER

Anchored a dominant scrum and worked hard in defence, but key missed tackles leading to tries exposed costly defensive frailties.

RUCK 5/10: "The Lion’s scrum was mighty, and more often than not, Porter was the first to show that to referee Andrea Piardi, he looked okay in attack but looked better defensively, but was caught short for Gordon’s darting try."

Telegraph 5/10: "Targeted by Australia in defence with both Gordon and Suaalii slipping through his grasp for tries. Still made 16 tackles, but misses were big black marks."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "Beaten for two of the Wallabies’ tries in the first half as he watched Gordon sprint past him before missing a tap tackle on Suaalii in the build-up to Tom Wright’s try. Conceded a penalty, and while his work-rate was top tier, his mistakes were costly. He was fortunate not to be penalised at scrum time too."

Replacement: Ellis Genge

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