Courtney Lawes out of international retirement after signing for Sale Sharks - 'I'd love to play for England again'
Published 07/04/2026 at 10:46 GMT+1
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Sale Sharks have completed the signing of former England captain Courtney Lawes, who returns to the Gallagher PREM after two years in France. The flanker has also revealed that he is out of international retirement, having previously ended his England career after the 2023 World Cup, with 105 caps to his name. Lawes has signed a one-year deal with Sale for the 2026/27 season.
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Former England captain Courtney Lawes has confirmed his availability for his country again after signing for Gallagher PREM side Sale Sharks.
The 37-year-old flanker was capped 105 times in a 14-year England career, winning three Six Nations titles and playing in the 2019 World Cup final.
He retired from international duty after the 2023 World Cup at the age of 34.
"I think it's time. I've done four World Cups, so I'm pretty happy with that," he said.
But almost three years on, Lawes has ambitions to represent his country again.
He has returned to the English top flight, where he spent 17 years with Northampton Saints before departing for French club Brive in 2024.
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Lawes has joined Sale on a one-year contract for the 2026/27 season.
”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 told the club's official website.
”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.
”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."
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Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: ”Courtney is the kind of player and person that suits this club. He’s robust, dynamic around the park and he hits hard, but he has a fantastic skillset that means he’s so much more than just a banger.
”Rugby is a small world and if you’re a good bloke, you work hard, you’re honest, and bring energy to a club, that goes around and that’s exactly what you hear about Courtney.
”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.
”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.
”Courtney believes in what we’re doing and wants to be part of the club. He’s coming back to try and win trophies and play international rugby again and he believes he can do that with us.
”It’s another sign of the intent of the club and the passion and commitment of the owners to really put Sale on the map.”
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