Courtney Lawes is returning to the Premiership at the end of the season after two years at French club Brive, with multiple reports indicating he has joined Sale Sharks from Pro D2 side Brive. The deal to bring Courtney Lawes back to Sale happened over the course of 24 hours, according to major media sources. Courtney Lawes has come out of international retirement and wants to play for England again, multiple reports indicate.
He retired from international rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but now seeks to reverse that decision. Courtney Lawes made the move to France after winning the 2023-24 Premiership title with Northampton Saints, where he spent 17 years, winning two Premiership titles and two Challenge Cup trophies. During his tenure with England, he won 105 caps and three Six Nations titles.
My body feels good and I’m still performing at a high level. I feel like I can compete with the best of them, and then some, and I think if I retired now, I'd probably regret it when I was older.
Courtney Lawes will turn 38 before next year's World Cup, raising questions about his longevity and fitness. He will need to prove he still has what it takes after 24 months in the French second tier, according to major media reports. Courtney Lawes is a generational talent and has not lost his abrasive edge, reports from France indicate.
Many of Brive’s fans describe the impact of Courtney Lawes' two-year stint in Correze as the greatest of any international import, highlighting his influence. Brive wished Courtney Lawes would finish out his career with them but understands his desire to seize a new challenge, and they are very proud to have had within their ranks one of the legends of world rugby and one of the best back-row forwards of his generation, according to the club. Courtney Lawes could be one of Steve Borthwick’s wildcard selections for the World Cup if he stays fit and healthy, major media reports suggest.
There will be quite a few familiar faces at the club. I’ve played with a lot of the England lads and Dorian West was my first forwards coach as a professional player. I know the club is bringing in some brilliant players for next season too – guys like Joe Marchant and Alex Lozowski will add a lot on and off the field.
His experience of playing in four World Cups and two Lions tours works heavily in his favour for England selection, and he can add valuable depth to England's back-row options due to his height. Courtney Lawes is known for having a positive impact on the team environment, which could benefit Sale Sharks. His wife, Jess, is from Cheshire and her family are all Sale fans, adding a personal connection to the club.
Courtney Lawes is yet to visit Sale’s training ground, indicating logistical steps remain before his integration. Courtney Lawes also attracted interest from Leicester, Newcastle Red Bulls, and Stade Francais, showing competition for his signing. There is a contradiction regarding Courtney Lawes' club signing status: while major media reports state he has joined Sale Sharks from Pro D2 side Brive, it has not yet been confirmed which English club Courtney Lawes will sign for.
I’m officially un-retiring from international duty and I’d love to play for England again but first and foremost I want to play well for Sale and we’ll se
The exact terms or duration included in Courtney Lawes' contract with Sale Sharks, or potentially another club, remain unspecified, as does the timing of his debut. Steve Borthwick's official stance or plan regarding Courtney Lawes' potential return to the England squad is also not publicly known. Furthermore, how Courtney Lawes' fitness and performance level compare quantitatively to current England back-row options, and what impact his return will have on Sale Sharks' existing squad dynamics and selection, are questions yet to be answered.
I’m having an experience in Brive that I’ll never forget, both on and off the pitch. I’m going to give it my all until the end of the season to finish this adventure with CAB [Club Athlétique Brive] in the best possible way. My family and I have been very warmly welcomed in Corrèze and we will always have Brive at heart.