‘I’m officially un-retiring from international duty’ – Courtney Lawes makes England pledge as new PREM club confirmed
Courtney Lawes to leave Brive for Sale Sharks.
England legend Courtney Lawes has announced he is officially “un-retiring” from international duty on the day it was confirmed that he has signed for Sale Sharks.
The 37-year-old, who has played for his country at four Rugby World Cups and toured with the British and Irish Lions twice, is returning to his home country later this year.
Lawes has inked a one-year deal with PREM side Sale Sharks as his two-season stint at Pro D2 club Brive will come to an end at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Saint to Shark
Monday’s announcement that he would be leaving Brive for a move home sent the rumour mill into overdrive for a back-rower who played almost 300 times for Northampton.
His destination has now been confirmed as Lawes explained why he chose the north-west outfit and that he still feels good about his body and mind to continue playing.
“I’m really excited to be joining Sale,” he said. “I’ve been out of the Prem now for a couple of years and I just want to finish my career playing at a the top level. I think Sale have got a brilliant squad so hopefully I can add to that and we’ll see what we can do next year.
“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.
“As a rugby player, you’ve got a very finite career and you’re a long time retired so I want to make the most of it while I can, give it everything for another season and then we’ll see what happens.
“When I decided I wanted to come back to the Prem there were only a couple of teams I would have signed for. Obviously Saints because of my history, but Sale were the other one because my wife’s family is all from Cheshire.
“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.”
Addressing the noise surrounding his England ambitions with a Rugby World Cup looming large in Australia in 2027, Lawes was open and honest about his Test ambitions.
“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 see what happens after that,” he said.
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Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Courtney is the kind of player and person that suits this club. He’s robust, dynamic around the park and he hits hard, but he has a fantastic skillset that means he’s so much more than just a banger.
“Rugby is a small world and if you’re a good bloke, you work hard, you’re honest, and bring energy to a club, that goes around and that’s exactly what you hear about Courtney.
Sign of intent
“He wants to bring people with him and lead from the front and I love that. Plus he’s captained England and knows what it’s like to play and win on the biggest stage.
“I can’t wait to see him train and play with us, but from a coaching perspective I’m really looking forward to working with someone I’ve heard so many good things about.
“Courtney believes in what we’re doing and wants to be part of the club. He’s coming back to try and win trophies and play international rugby again and he believes he can do that with us.
“It’s another sign of the intent of the club and the passion and commitment of the owners to really put Sale on the map.”
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