The latest rugby news stories today from Wales and the wider world

Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for the morning of Monday, October 26.

England recall Marchant days before Welsh qualification

Joe Marchant has been recalled to England’s training squad for next month’s Nations Championship, two days before becoming eligible for Wales.

Marchant received his first England call-up since the 2023 World Cup on Sunday night after his two-year spell at Stade Francais ended with his return to the Gallagher Prem with Sale this season, making him available for selection once again.

The 30-year-old made his last appearance in an England shirt at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, as he started in the third-place play-off clash with Argentina in Paris. Two weeks later, he made his debut for Stade Francais in the Top 14, making him ineligible for England.

Marchant becomes eligible to switch national teams on October 27, with World Rugby rules stating that captured players can change allegiances after observing a three-year stand-down period from Test rugby.

Although born in Winchester, Marchant has Welsh heritage that qualifies him to play for Wales, but that will now not be happening.

The 30-year-old is joined in the 36-man group that on Sunday begins preparations for the autumn opener against Australia by Will Joseph, the Gloucester centre whose form has lit up the Prem in the opening four rounds.

Joseph, the younger brother of former England star Jonathan Joseph, made his only Test appearance during the 2022 tour of Australia but will be looking to press his claim in the absence of Seb Atkinson.

Atkinson, who is pencilled in to start against the Wallabies at inside centre, will join the squad at their Surrey base but during this camp will be limited to rehabilitating a knee injury.

Adding to Steve Borthwick’s problems in midfield is the concussion sustained by Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who has not played since taking a head knock on club duty for Bristol on October 3.

Marchant, Joseph, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Slade and Max Ojomoh are the fit centres currently available to Borthwick.

Prop Fin Baxter makes his first appearance in an England squad since December having made a successful comeback from a foot injury in Harlequins’ Prem victory over Saracens on Sunday.

Courtney Lawes has been unable to force his way into the squad after he also joined Sale following a spell in France but could be involved later in the autumn.

Chandler Cunningham-South is missing because of an ankle problem but Ben Curry and Tom Pearson have been included as back row options.

For now Saracens’ Theo Dan has lost his place as third choice hooker behind Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie with Bath’s Kepueli Tuipulotu instead given his chance to impress.

Joining Atkinson in rehabilitation are Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (hamstring) and Guy Pepper (knee).

England open the second phase of the Nations against Australia at Allianz Stadium in a fortnight before their campaign continues with fixtures against Japan and New Zealand. Finals weekend completes the month’s action.

Forwards: F Baxter (Harlequins), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), A Clark (Gloucester Rugby), A Coles (Northampton Saints), L Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), B Curry (Sale Sharks), T Curry (Sale Sharks), B Earl (Saracens), G Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), J George (Saracens), E Genge (Bristol Bears), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), M Itoje (Saracens), E Iyogun (Northampton Saints), G Martin (Saracens), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), T Pearson (Northampton Saints), H Pollock (Northampton Saints), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), K Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby).

Backs: N Caluori (Saracens), F Dingwall (Northampton Saints), G Ford (Sale Sharks), T Freeman (Northampton Saints), G Furbank (Harlequins), W Joseph (Gloucester Rugby), J Marchant (Sale Sharks), A McParland (Northampton Saints), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), C Murley (Harlequins), M Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), F Smith (Northampton Saints), M Smith (Harlequins), F Steward (Leicester Tigers), J van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers), Rehabilitation: S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), G Pepper (Bath Rugby).

Ex-Ireland prop passes away

Former Ireland international prop Phil O'Callaghan has passed away at the age of 83 after battling a short illness.

O'Callaghan won 21 caps for his country between 1967 and 1976, and was also part of the first Munster team to beat Australia in January 1967.

Born and raised in Cork, O'Callaghan joined local club Dolphin RFC at the age of 16, debuting in the second row.

As well as his later spells with Munster and Ireland, he also lined up for the Barbarians six times between 1969 and 1970.

After hanging up his boots, went on to coach Dolphin and Sundays Well.

He was inducted to the Munster Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016.

More injury woe for Scotland star

Scotland star Duhan van der Merwe has suffered another potential injury setback after lasting just 18 minutes on his return for Edinburgh.

The winger was making his first appearance of the season against the Lions on Friday, having returned from a long-standing ankle issue.

However, his comeback was cut short due to a hand injury.

Head coach Sean Everitt said: "Duhan got a laceration to his hand. I'm not sure what it is. I haven't been inside to chat to the medics yet."

The latest setback comes ahead of Scotland's upcoming Nations Championship campaign, with Gregor Townsend due to name his squad later today ahead of a massive clash with New Zealand on November 7.