Auckland spell kick-started career of black belt Marchant
Man and karate expert who spent sabbatical learning from All Blacks will try to keep up with club-mate Smith today
⮞quins
When Joe Marchant missed out on England’s World Cup squad a couple of years ago, he opted to take his still fledgling career down a fascinating path, packing his bags and, with the blessing of Harlequins, signing on a short-term deal with the Blues in Super Rugby.
Even though that spell in Auckland was cut short by the pandemic, Marchant returned to Harlequins a noticeably improved player, describing the pace of the game in New Zealand as “eye-opening”, having run the gauntlet playing against All Blacks centres Anton Lienertbrown, Jack Goodhue and Ngani Laumape.
Opting to fly across the world to develop his career was an admirable move by a young talent who, while always quick and a deadly finisher, is now viewed by head coach Eddie Jones as “one of the best in England in the air”.
Jones named Marchant in England’s
XV to face South Africa today, only his second Test start and first on the wing. “He is a strong defender and a strong runner with the ball, so he suits the way we want to play this week,” Jones said.
The 25-year-old back made three starts for Harlequins on the wing last season in the Premiership and appeared there against Sale last month, making him a more obvious fit than Manu Tuilagi for the roaming-wing tactic England plan to use again against South Africa. But it is really at outside centre where he has thrived for the Premiership champions, anchoring a youthful back line, along with Danny Care.
Versatility appears to have always been one of Marchant’s strong suits, given he is also a black belt in karate, a useful skill to have in your locker playing Test rugby.
Despite his excellent form for Harlequins, he originally missed out on the England squad for the autumn, only getting a call-up once Anthony Watson was ruled out with a ruptured cruciate ligament.
“It was a rollercoaster 24 hours, going from being gutted not to be in to being delighted to get in,” Marchant admits. “We didn’t really have that chat [about my position]. It was ‘Anthony’s out and you’re in’. I am not putting a label on anything.”
As for what makes him stand out, Marchant says: “The fact that I am a 13 who plays on the wing and likes to get the ball in space, who can maybe open things up.”
While most of England’s back line have been settling into their new partnerships with fly-half Marcus Smith, between Smith and Marchant there is no need for an introduction. Marchant is well versed when it comes to spotting his club-mate’s spontaneity on the field, while also speaking
Top form: Joe Marchant will play as a wing in only his second Test start for England highly of his admirably cool head when faced with adversity.
“He is so good at managing pressure,” Marchant says. “Coming in when he was 17 and 18 and being the starting 10, it shows his character. When pressure comes on, he steps up.
“A lot of it is reaction. Obviously, with him, he is an instinctive player so, when he spots a gap or sees an opportunity, he goes with it. In terms of connecting with him, if something starts to happen you just have to get on your bike and do your best to keep up with him and be as close as you can.”