Courtney Lawes was surprised to find himself included in Steve Borthwick’s pre-season England squad announced over the weekend. The 37-year-old has made it clear that his return to the Premiership with Sale Sharks is driven by his desire to participate in a fifth World Cup next year. Like Borthwick, Lawes prefers to demonstrate his abilities on the field rather than through mere talk.
Borthwick has communicated to players such as Lawes, his Sale teammate Joe Marchant, and Newcastle’s new No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu that they must establish their worth against current Premiership players to secure a spot on the national team.
However, what intrigues many is Lawes’s motivation to continue playing at this stage in his career.
In his final seasons with Northampton and the national team, Lawes sometimes seemed to be barely holding it together. After years of what he describes as “intense rugby,” there were concerns about his ability to continue. Yet, his performance during the 2023 World Cup and particularly in his last title-winning season with Northampton was exceptional. After leaving English rugby with a championship medal and a memorable farewell press conference, where he appeared without a shirt and wearing ski goggles, one might wonder if his return could potentially diminish his legacy.
“I don’t feel anxious,” he remarked. “I’m not overly concerned about my legacy right now. I would prefer to make a comeback and find out I can’t make the team than to wonder if I retired too soon. I’ll give it my best shot, and whatever happens will happen.”
For those familiar with Lawes’s career, especially since his resurgence in Test rugby under Eddie Jones, it is unsurprising that he doesn’t dwell on legacy. Though he has four children, there isn’t an urgent financial need driving his decisions, even if his move to Sale—where his wife’s family has connections—was partially due to Northampton’s inability to re-sign him. Some speculate that Lawes might struggle after two years spent in France’s second division with Brive, but he exudes a quiet confidence in his ability to perform at a high level. His humility and self-belief have made him one of the most respected figures in recent English rugby history.
“During my time at Brive, I rarely played more than three weeks consecutively, often just two weeks,” Lawes explained. “This likely extended my career by allowing me not to engage in high-intensity rugby every single week. I wasn’t ready to retire last season. I was still performing well and among the top players in the league. So I thought I’d give it one more shot. Retirement lasts a long time, and since I can still move well, why not continue while I still can?”
Such sentiments are likely music to the ears of Alex Sanderson and the coaching staff at Sale. There is a palpable excitement surrounding the club following Lawes’s arrival, particularly after he showcased his competitive spirit by winning a pre-season padel tournament alongside Dom Hanson. Younger players admire him, and senior teammates like George Ford have been impressed by the high standards Lawes can still achieve. Given how much he values Ford’s opinion, this will also please Borthwick.
It seems highly probable that if Lawes maintains his fitness, he will rejoin the England squad in the autumn. While this is contingent on various factors, there are reasons for optimism. In the season leading up to the last World Cup, Lawes struggled with injuries, participating in only four matches before mid-April. Initially suspected of having a head injury in September 2022, further examinations revealed a vestibular system issue. He returned to deliver an outstanding performance during the World Cup and unexpectedly excelled in his subsequent season with Northampton.
While a move to France had already been settled and he had announced his international retirement, this does not indicate any regret regarding his time at Brive. Instead, Lawes feels he has unfinished business with England, especially since he has long supported the Rugby Football Union’s stance on selecting players based abroad.
“When some of your top players are playing in France, I don’t see the logic in restricting yourself,” he stated. “I understand the reasoning behind it, as they want to keep players from playing overseas, but I don’t think that will always be the outcome. It’s crucial to have the best players available for selection if we aim to grow the sport and attract more spectators. The rugby environment must evolve.”
Lawes emphasizes that moving to France isn’t suitable for everyone, but he believes he returns with added skills and insights. He notes that the key difference in France lies in the level of autonomy players experience. “You need a very specific mindset,” he explained. “I understand why players like Sexton, who are accustomed to doing things a certain way, might struggle. You have to be adaptable and willing to say, ‘Okay, let’s do it your way.’ It’s a more individual-centered approach rather than a team-focused one.”
