Courtney Lawes joins Sale Sharks

Courtney Lawes will return to PREM Rugby in the 2026/27 season after Sale Sharks agreed a one-year deal for the former England and British and Irish Lions forward.

The move brings one of England’s most experienced forwards back into the domestic game after two seasons with French club Brive and also restores his eligibility for England selection.

Courtney Lawes Sale Sharks Move Confirmed

Sale Sharks have confirmed that Lawes, 37, will join the club on a one-year contract from the start of next season.

The versatile forward can play both at lock and in the back row, giving Sale added experience and depth in key forward positions. Lawes made nearly 300 appearances for Northampton Saints before leaving for Brive after helping Saints win the PREM title in 2024.

Courtney Lawes England Return Back On Table

Lawes’ return to an English club makes him eligible again for England under current selection rules. He has also confirmed that he is coming out of international retirement and would welcome another chance to play for England if his performances at Sale merit selection.

“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 player for next season too – guys like Joe Marchant and Alex Lozowski will add a lot on and off the field.

“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.”

Lawes retired from Test rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, ending a 14-year international career in which he won 105 caps and played at four World Cups.