Courtney Lawes Targets England Comeback Following Sale Sharks Signing
Courtney Lawes has been backed to reclaim his England position after confirming he will join Sale Sharks this summer on a one-year contract. The former national captain, who spent the last two seasons with Brive in France's ProD2, has expressed his desire to return to international rugby if the opportunity arises.
Veteran Forward Maintains Top-Level Ambitions
While Lawes will turn 38 next February and retired from Test rugby after the 2023 World Cup in France, he remains confident in his ability to compete at the highest level. Sale's director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, shares this optimism and eagerly anticipates welcoming the former Northampton stalwart to Manchester.
"I don't think we'd have signed him if he was just a player who wanted a paycheck," Sanderson stated. "That's not what I'm seeing and the stats don't reflect that. He's still got the ability and experience to play some great rugby over the next season, if not the next couple."
Sanderson highlighted Lawes' comprehensive skillset, leadership qualities, and championship experience as key assets. "Courtney is 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," he explained. "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."
Lawes Officially "Un-Retires" from International Duty
With 105 England caps, four World Cup appearances, three Six Nations titles, and significant club success including two Premiership titles with Northampton, Lawes believes he has more to offer. "My body feels good and I'm still performing at a high level," Lawes said. "I feel like I can compete with the best of them, and then some, and if I retired now, I'd probably regret it when I was older."
The veteran forward emphasized his renewed international ambitions: "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. 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."
Sale Faces Manpower Crisis Ahead of Champions Cup Quarter-Final
Meanwhile, Sale Sharks confront a potential personnel shortage ahead of their crucial Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster in Dublin this Saturday. England squad members Luke Cowan-Dickie and Bevan Rodd have been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injuries.
Additionally, hooker Nathan Jibulu awaits a disciplinary hearing outcome after being cited for biting his former Harlequins teammate Will Hobson during Sale's recent victory. This incident occurred during Jibulu's first return to the Twickenham Stoop since moving to Salford last summer.
If Jibulu is suspended, Sale's forward options will be further depleted with Tom and Ben Curry also unavailable. Jibulu remains a candidate for England's summer tour as head coach Steve Borthwick evaluates his squad ahead of their Nations Championship opener against South Africa.
Sanderson praised the young hooker's potential: "He's good now, he's going to be brilliant. He's certainly got the attributes to be an international hooker. He's improved his set piece and his defence is matching his carrying in terms of physical dominance. He should be in the conversation at least."
