Courtney Lawes Signs with Sale Sharks, Eyes England Comeback

Veteran England rugby forward Courtney Lawes has signed a one-year contract with Sale Sharks for the 2026-27 Premiership season, signaling his return to top-level English rugby and a potential comeback to international duty at age 37.

Lawes, who retired from England after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, joins Sale from French Pro D2 side Brive, where he has played for two seasons following a 17-year stint at Northampton Saints. The versatile lock and back-row player, capped 105 times for England and five times for the British and Irish Lions, will complete his current term with Brive before moving to the northwest England club. His decision comes amid family connections, as his wife's relatives hail from Cheshire, Sale's home region.

"I'm really excited to be joining Sale," Lawes said in a club statement. "I've been out of the Prem now for a couple of years and I just want to finish my career playing at the top level." He emphasized his physical condition and ambition, adding, "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."

Lawes' career highlights include captaining Northampton to their first Premiership...