Joe Marchant to exit contract to make early return to English rugby

Sale Sharks have lined up a move to bring former England outside centre Joe Marchant back to the Premiership, despite him having another year left on his contract with Stade Français, as part of a trio of moves.

Winchester-born Marchant, 28, moved to Stade after the 2023 World Cup and made 26 appearances last season, scoring six tries as Paul Gustard’s side avoided a relegation play-off by one place and one point.

Stade have already lined up a replacement for Marchant, who made over 150 appearances for Quins, including starting their 2021 Premiership final win over Exeter Chiefs.

They are set to replace him with former France U20 international Tani Vili, who was unable to keep Vannes in the Top 14. He made 14 appearances and scored two tries after joining from Bordeaux.

Vili, 24, a product of the Brive academy before joining Clermont Auvergne, is a ready-made replacement for Marchant, who would be able to kick-start his England career with a return to the Premiership.

Steve Borthwick, who doesn’t have many natural options at outside centre with the same muscle as Marchant – who was linked with a move to Saracens 18 months ago – will be delighted at his return.

In September 2020, Marchant was part of the Harlequins side that lost to Sale Sharks in the final of the Premiership Rugby Cup, which would solve a potential problem for Sharks boss Alex Sanderson.

The Sharks are set to lose Rob du Preez, who, like Marchant, is entering the final year of his contract and is a target for Racing 92 after they sold former England captain Owen Farrell to his old club Saracens.

Du Preez was a regular for the Sharks at outside centre in the second half of last season, starting 15 times in the role following the win over Leicester Tigers at the start of December. He only started three times at fly-half in that period.