Centre or wing, I'm ready for next level

Joe Marchant tells Dan Gallan how time in New Zealand helped him find his voice

- Dan Gallan

Joe Marchant is in a good mood when he answers the call, and why wouldn’t he be? It’s been a watershed week for the 24-year-old who capped off his 100th appearance for Harlequins last Saturday with two tries in a 24-12 win over Sale Sharks at The Stoop.

His opener – a 25m finish that underlined a scintillating team move – was his first try for Quins since October and is not the only man in the quartered kit who has rediscovered his mojo. Since Paul Gustard’s departure in January, the club has scored 16 tries in four unbeaten matches and began this round of fixtures in third place in the Premiership table.

“There’s a real buzz about the place,” Marchant says. “We’re definitely attacking more and working more on our attack in training. Our dangerous runners are flying around and Marcus (Smith) and Danny (Care) are lighting it up. We’re all getting involved. I don’t know what it is, but there’s definitely a difference.”

With a sidestep that would evade any tackle, Marchant avoids directly speaking about his former coach who had made his name as a defensive specialist. After joining Italian side Benetton, Gustard said he was “thrilled” to join a club with “a clear vision, a deep level of trust, and a dynamic environment driven towards high goals”. Marchant does not interpret this as a parting shot.