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Courtney Lawes Joins Sale Sharks on One-Year Deal, Ends England Retirement

The move restores his England eligibility under current selection practice favoring Premiership players.

Overview

  • Lawes, who was confirmed Tuesday for the 2026/27 season at Sale, said he is “officially un-retiring” to be available for England selection.
  • Returning to the Premiership makes him selectable again under England’s practice of picking home-based players for major tournaments.
  • He will complete the current campaign with Brive, which is in France’s Pro D2 play-off race, before moving to Sale for next season.
  • Lawes said he hopes strong club form earns a recall from head coach Steve Borthwick and could open a path to a fifth World Cup in 2027.
  • Reports said Leicester pursued him, but he chose Sale, a decision shaped by his long Northampton ties and family links to Cheshire.