Lawes 'out of England retirement' and joining Sale

Former England captain Courtney Lawes says he is "officially unretiring from international duty" after signing for Sale Sharks for the 2026-27 season.

The 37-year-old second row won three Six Nations championships and played in the 2019 World Cup final during a glittering 14-year England career before retiring from internationals after the 2023 tournament.

Lawes spent his club career with Northampton Saints, winning two Prem titles, before joining French side Brive in 2024.

"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 told Sale's website, external.

Lawes made his debut for Saints in 2007 and earned his first England cap two years later.

He was part of England's Six Nations grand slam-winning squad in 2016 and went on to win the championship twice more in 2017 and 2020.

He also featured in four World Cups as the Red Rose exited in the pools stage of the home tournament in 2015, before going all the way to the final in Japan four years later, where they were beaten by South Africa in Yokohama.

Lawes' final England cap came in the semi-final of the 2023 tournament in Paris when England were again eliminated by the Springboks.

He was part of Saints' Prem title-winning team of 2014 and captained the club to victory in the 2024 campaign, making his final appearance in the final victory over Bath at Twickenham.

Lawes has made 39 appearances in two seasons for Brive.

"When I decided I wanted to come back to the Prem there were only a couple of teams I would have signed for," he added.

"Obviously Saints because of my history, but Sale were the other one because my wife's family is all from Cheshire.

"I'm really excited to be joining Sale. I've been out of the Prem now for a couple of years and I just want to finish my career playing at a the top level.

"I think Sale have got a brilliant squad so hopefully I can add to that and we'll see what we can do next year."

Sale's director of rugby Alex Sanderson described Lawes' arrival as a "sign of intent" from the owners to put the club "on the map".

"He wants to bring people with him and lead from the front and I love that. Plus he's captained England and knows what it's like to play and win on the biggest stage," Sanderson said.

"I can't wait to see him train and play with us, but from a coaching perspective I'm really looking forward to working with someone I've heard so many good things about."

BBC Sport rugby union correspondent Chris Jones:

When Lawes left English rugby on his shield after winning the league title with Northampton, it was expected he would see out his career in France, so his return to the Prem at the age of 37 comes as a bit of a bolt from the blue.

And while his advancing years slightly temper the hype around him making a return to the England set-up, there is no doubt Sale will benefit hugely from his class on and off the field.

When Lawes left for Brive in 2024 he was playing some of the best rugby of his career, and it will be fascinating to see if he can get anywhere near the heights that made him one of England's all-time greats.

The fact that Lawes has officially made himself available for an international return shows he is confident in his form and fitness.

Steve Borthwick will be monitoring developments closely.