Courtney Lawes Confirms That He Could Leave Northampton at the End of the Season
When Courtney Lawes announced his decision to retire from international rugby, it was considered a bad thing for England but excellent news for Northampton Saints.
The 34-year-old is still a high class forward, capable of having a major impact on the outcome of games – as he has in the Saints’ impressive start to their Champions Cup campaign.
But here comes the bombshell: Lawes has admitted that he might not renew his Northampton contract, which comes to an end at the conclusion of this season.
Pastures New?
A solid start to the Guinness Premiership term of W5 L3, with five bonus points added, reveals why the Saints have been boldly ambitious in their plans for 2023/24.
Those betting on sports can still pick up odds of 16/1 on Northampton lifting the Premiership trophy this season, albeit with Saracens (5/4), Sale Sharks (7/2) and Leicester Tigers (6/1) considered more likely to do so.
But as confirmed by Paddy Power news and other sources, the Saints have got off to an excellent start domestically and on the continent – they’ve won both of their opening games in the European Champions Cup, too.
Courtney Lawes will retire from England duty at the end of the Rugby World Cup.#BBCRugby #RWC2023
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 22, 2023
Lawes was instrumental in the 22-19 win over Toulon in the latter, picking up the Man of the Match trophy, which explains why Northampton are so desperate to open up talks on an extended deal for the 34-year-old.
But there’s unlikely to be a shortage of suitors for the back row either, who has spent the entirety of his playing career at the Saints – will he trade being a one-club man for a late career stint somewhere new, possibly a handsome payday overseas? ‘I might have a couple of options,’ was Lawes’ diplomatic answer when quizzed about his future.
When he decided to retire from international duty, England’s loss was said to be Northampton’s gain. Now, there’s no guarantees on where Lawes will be lining up next season.
Lock Down
England head coach Steve Borthwick will no doubt be cursing the timing of Lawes’ retirement.
It’s sod’s law that a number of his preferred back row forwards have gone down with injury in recent weeks – making the loss of Lawes feel all the more substantial.
And while England’s Six Nations campaign doesn’t get underway until February 3, Borthwick faces a nervous wait to see which of his sixes, sevens and eights will be available for selection.
Ben Earl is at risk of missing the start of England’s 2024 Six Nations campaign, having suffered a knee injury that could keep him out for up to three months
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— Times Sport (@TimesSport) November 20, 2023
Tom Curry definitely won’t be playing at the Six Nations – his hip injury is so severe that he’s unlikely to play again this season. Ben Earl, meanwhile, was carried off during a Saracens game in November with a knee problem; his current timeline for a return is unknown.
Alternative options are also struggling with injuries or a loss of form, which leaves Borthwick with an almighty headache as he tries to end England’s relatively lengthy trophy drought in the Six Nations.
One solution would be to try and persuade Lawes into a temporary return from retirement; but the 34-year-old has shown in the past that he knows his own mind, which suggests Borthwick will have to look elsewhere.
