Harlequins statement: Joe Marchant exit confirmed

Harlequins have confirmed recent speculation that England midfielder Joe Marchant will exit the Gallagher Premiership club at the end of the season is true. Currently out of favour with Eddie Jones’ Test squad, Marchant will this Sunday play for the Barbarians in their match versus an All Blacks XV at Tottenham.

It was after not making the England training squads in recent months following this summer’s Australian tour when Marchant was first linked with a switch to the Top 14 and Stade Francais, the club where ex-Quins boss Paul Gusratd currently works, are expected to eventually get his signature. That deal hasn’t yet been confirmed by the French club but what is now certain is that Marchant is on the move from The Stoop following Friday’s exit confirmation by Harlequins.

A statement read: “Harlequins can confirm today that Joe Marchant will leave the club at the end of the season. Marchant will depart the club following nine years at The Stoop after joining the senior academy set-up in 2014 and making his senior debut the following year.

“The 26-year-old back soon became a regular feature within the starting XV, earning over 130 appearances and being an integral part of the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership winning side.

“Marchant went on to achieve international recognition with England as well as working with Harlequins and he had a short-term loan spell with Super Rugby outfit the Auckland Blues in 2020 to develop his experience and skills.”

'Me and my agent had been speaking about it for a long time'@Harlequins and @EnglandRugby 13/14 Joe Marchant is the form of his life and he credits a brave decision to try Super Rugby with the @BluesRugbyTeam with giving him an edge, writes @heagneyl ???https://t.co/kP0SPT4Jq5

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 18, 2022

Billy Millard, the Harlequins director of rugby performance, said: “We will be sad to see Joe leave us at the end of the season – it has been an absolute pleasure working with him over the last few years and watching him progress from our academy. We had positive contract renewal discussions and we would have loved for him to continue at The Stoop, but appreciate that he was given another opportunity that we could not compete with.

“Joe is one of the academy’s more recent success stories and we are proud that 69 per cent of our current men’s squad have come through it. This is fundamental to our DNA and we are really confident of the talent coming through this channel in the future.

“We remain on great terms with Joe and wish him well for the future. There will always be a home and place where he can come back to in the future, but for now, we look forward to the remainder of the season together.”

Marchant added: “I am very proud and grateful to have been part of Harlequins for the last ten years. I have made some amazing memories on and off the field and made great friends along the way. This club has been a home to me and will always have a place in my heart.

“The time has come for me to depart the club and I am excited for my next challenge ahead. I will make the most of every moment for the rest of this season proudly wearing my Quins shirt. Thank you for all the support!”