Joe Marchant acknowledges his struggles to meet expectations since joining Sale Sharks. The 30-year-old centre feels he has disappointed, particularly regarding his football skills during informal training sessions, especially after becoming the son-in-law of Alan Shearer, the former Newcastle and England captain.

Despite these challenges, Marchant has impressed his new teammates and director of rugby Alex Sanderson. Having returned to England after three years with Stade Français, Marchant has benefited from his time in France, enhancing his communication skills on the pitch. He notes, "A big one is my communication because obviously there was a language barrier there and you can’t be shy."

His experiences abroad have transformed him into a more engaging player, especially during the 2023 World Cup campaign. He has embraced the French language and culture, which has helped him connect better with teammates, saying, "I think the French lads appreciated that because I think there are a lot of foreigners who go over and don’t learn the language."

Marchant has unique insights from playing in New Zealand and France, noting the differences in game intensity and space. He aims to add to his 28 England caps, expressing a strong desire to represent his country again, emphasizing, "I want to play for England."

His journey reflects a sense of unfinished business, particularly after being sidelined by former coach Eddie Jones prior to the World Cup. Marchant's move to France was initially spurred by that setback, but with Steve Borthwick now at the helm, he feels a renewed clarity about his role and aspirations in the England setup.