Courtney Lawes confirms Brive exit with England return lined up

Former England captain Courtney Lawes is set to leave Brive at the end of the season after two years in France’s Pro D2.

The 37-year-old moved to the Stade Amédée-Domenech in 2024 after 17 years with Northampton Saints, bringing the curtain down on his time with the club with a Gallagher PREM title win.

However, reports have emerged in recent weeks that Saints’ bitter rivals, Leicester Tigers, were interested in the 105-cap England international.

While RugbyPass reported that the former British & Irish Lion was keen on remaining with Brive, his club have confirmed his exit in a statement, which also stated his “desire to seize the opportunity of a new challenge in his native country.”

Lawes’ next destination is yet to be confirmed, but Leicester have already turned to France’s Pro D2 to recruit another England veteran ahead of next season, Vannes’ Mako Vunipola.

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For now, Brive are currently in fifth place in Pro D2, which will secure a place in the play-offs at the end of the season with a shot of making the Top 14.

“I’m having an experience in Brive that I’ll never forget, both on and off the pitch,” Lawes said after his exit was announced.

“I’m going to give it my all until the end of the season to finish this adventure with CAB in the best possible way. My family and I have been very warmly welcomed in Corrèze and we will always have Brive at heart.”

Brive president Thierry Blandinières added: “We are very proud to say that Courtney Lawes will have been a Brive player for two seasons.

“He arrived here with humility and ambition and has shown the full extent of his talent since his first day in Brive. He gave everything for the club and he will continue to give everything until the end of his adventure in Black and White.”