Courtney Lawes Unretires for England and Signs with Sale Sharks

After a period away from international rugby, Courtney Lawes has officially re-entered the fray, committing to Sale Sharks for the 2026-27 season. The 37-year-old second row, who earned 84 caps during his 14-year tenure with England, had previously retired following the 2023 World Cup. His return comes as he seeks to reignite his career on the global stage.

Lawes’ club career was built at Northampton Saints, where he contributed to two Premiership victories before moving to France in 2024 to join Brive. His last match with Saints saw Northampton secure the 2024 Prem title, marking the end of his time at the club. Now, he aims to make an impact at Sale, where his focus remains on domestic success.

“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 stated on Sale’s official website.

With his new chapter beginning, Lawes is eager to demonstrate his fitness and leadership, potentially paving the way for a renewed role with the national team. More updates are anticipated as he prepares to take on this challenge.