Marchant off to play for Blues
ENGLAND centre Joe Marchant is set to complete a move that will see him play the 2020 Super Rugby season for The Blues.
Harlequins have agreed to allow the 23year-old to leave the Twickenham Stoop for a six-month sabbatical in New Zealand from early January as part of a new three-year deal with Quins.
The move has got the blessing of England coach Eddie Jones who gave Marchant his first start against Italy in September despite not being in the World Cup squad.
Marchant, who has been transformed by the arrival of Paul Gustard at Quins at the start of last season, is battling Jonathan Joseph and Henry Slade in the England pecking order.
He is hoping that a spell in New Zealand will bring his game on even further.
He will join a small band of English players who have played in Super Rugby.
Geoff Parling and Danny Cipriani both played for the Melbourne Rebels, James Haskell The Highlanders while Andy Goode had a stint in South Africa for the Sharks.
England international Piers Francis who was born in Gravesend in Kent played for The Blues before joining up with Northampton Saints two years ago.
The Blues were the Super Rugby franchise from which Quins signed Nick Evans in 2008 and Blues have until Tuesday to finalise their squad for next season.
Marchant, who joined Quins five years ago, has scored one try every five appearances for them this season. He will return to south west London in time for the start of the 2020/21 campaign.