Courtney Lawes Eyes England Return After Joining Sale Sharks

Courtney Lawes is aiming to put himself back in contention for England after returning to the Premiership with Sale Sharks, according to reporting by The Guardian. The 37-year-old forward has spent the past two seasons with Brive in France and was not included in England coach Steve Borthwick’s pre-season squad announced over the weekend.

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The route back to international rugby is clear but not guaranteed. The Guardian reported that Borthwick has told Lawes, fellow Sale recruit Joe Marchant and Newcastle No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu that they must demonstrate their level against their direct rivals in the Premiership before earning selection. Lawes said strong performances for Sale would give him an opportunity to play for England again.

Lawes has won 105 England caps, with his most recent appearance coming at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He is hoping to remain in contention for what would be his fifth World Cup in 2027, but his immediate focus is establishing himself at Sale and showing that he can still meet the demands of top-flight English rugby.

His move follows two years at Brive, where Lawes said his playing schedule was less relentless than the weekly workload he had previously experienced. He believes that period may have extended his career. Lawes also told The Guardian that he was still performing at a high level last season and did not feel ready to retire.

The former Northampton player returns to England with substantial domestic and international experience. Before leaving for France, he helped Northampton win the Premiership title in his final season with the club. His decision to join Sale also places him alongside established England fly-half George Ford and under director of rugby Alex Sanderson.

Any international comeback remains contingent on form and fitness. Lawes previously endured a difficult period before the 2023 World Cup, when a vestibular problem restricted his appearances for Northampton, but he recovered to play a major role for England at the tournament. His performances for Sale will now determine whether Borthwick brings him back into the national setup.