Courtney Lawes reportedly offered a STAGGERING salary by French clubs
England's Courtney Lawes applauds supporters following the Rugby World Cup 2023, Pool D match at the Stade De Nice, France.
Two PRO D2 clubs have reportedly tabled massive offers to lure former England forward Courtney Lawes across The Channel next season.
Lawes’ Northampton Saints contract expires at the end of the current season, and he has been heavily linked with a move to France, where he is likely to bring his career to a close.
It is reported that this would be his final contract before hanging up his boots, and Lawes has expressed his desire to be paid what he is ‘worth’ before handing up his boots.
The England forward revealed that he took a paycut at Northampton when he signed his last contract with the Premiership club but he could now get one more big payday in France.
Two big offers
According to a report by Actu Rugby, PRO D2 club Provence Rugby tabled a contract worth around €23,000 per month (about £20,000 per month and £276,000 per annum). The offer would also include the private school fees for his children.
However, the report adds that Brive – who are believed to have secured his services if Northampton doesn’t make a lucrative counteroffer- has bettered Provence’s offer.
The club, which Englishman Simon Gillham owns, has tabled an offer of around €35,000 per month (about £ 30,000 per month and £360,000 per annum).
Both clubs are currently in the race to secure promotion back into the Top 14, occupying playoff spots after 18 rounds of the PRO D2. Provence currently sits at the top of the table after winning 12 of their 18 matches, while Brive are ranked sixth with 10 wins from 18 games.
Top 14 clubs Toulon and Montpellier were reportedly interested in adding Lawes to their squads as well.
While the two offers will not make Lawes one of the highest-paid players in the world, they are significant figures, particularly considering his age (34) and that the two clubs in question are in the second division of professional rugby in France.
In 2021, the Premiership also revealed that the lock position averaged the third highest-paid position in the league at an average of £158,617 per season, with the back row role further down in fifth place at $144,437.
Both Provence and Brive’s offers are significantly higher than those.
Ins and outs at Northampton Saints
Lawes would link up with an ex-British and Irish Lions teammate if he opts to go to either of the Top 14 clubs, with George North set to join Provence next season while former Wales back-rower Ross Moriarty is currently at Brive.
The veteran forward’s departure from the table-topping Saints would be yet another blow to their squad as the club confirmed that captain Lewis Ludlam would depart at the end of the season.
Ludlam has been linked with a move to Top 14 giants Toulon, where he is likely to be joined by fellow England international Kyle Sinckler. Northampton also confirmed that second rower Alex Moon would be leaving the side to join French club Bayonne.
However, there has been some good news for the Saints’ fans, with young fullback George Hendy extending his contract at the club this week.
