Courtney Lawes, former England captain, has officially reversed his international retirement. The veteran forward has signed a one-year deal with Sale Sharks for the 2026-27 season.
Lawes, who earned 105 caps for England and played in four World Cups before stepping down after the 2023 tournament, expressed his desire to play for England again. He stated his immediate focus is on performing well for Sale in the Premiership.
After two seasons in France with Brive, Lawes returns to England, having previously made nearly 300 appearances for Northampton Saints, captaining them to the Premiership title in 2024. He believes strong club form could lead to another call-up from England coach Steve Borthwick.
Lawes, who can play lock or back row, cited a desire to finish his career at the highest level and that his body feels strong and he is still performing at a high level. Sale's director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, highlighted Lawes' leadership and experience as a significant asset to the squad, noting his ambition to win trophies and play international rugby again.