England back row Courtney Lawes to join Brive - report

Former England back row Courtney Lawes is set to join Pro D2 side Brive – according to reports in France.

This news, as reported by Midi Olympique, marks a major coup for the Corrèze club. Although the contract is not yet to be made official, Lawes has reportedly agreed to join the side which currently reside in sixth on the ProD2 table.

A separate Midi Olympique story on Sunday highlighted that Brive has taken a decisive lead in acquiring Lawes. The Northampton veteran’s contract is due to expire in June and had explored options in Brive, Aix-en-Provence, and Montpellier.

Of these, he received written offers from all three, but an aggressive campaign by Brive has apparently won the Englishman’s signature.

Indeed, the 34-year-old toured Provence’s facilities and engaged in talks with staff last week and apparently has discussion on the potential of a one or two-year contract. Despite their keen interest and the presence of the likes of Jimmy Gopperth and former Saints teammate Teimana  at the side, Lawes appears to have chosen Brive.

At Brive, he will link up with former Wales No.8 Ross Moriarty and Ireland centre Stuart Olding.

Lawes, who retired from England duty after an impressive Rugby World Cup 2023, maintained his blistering form in club colours and was central to Saints’ unbeaten run in both the Gallagher Premiership and Investec Champions Cup during December.

It will be the end of an era at the English club, which Lawes has called home his entire professional career. He lifted both the European Challenge Cup in 2009 and the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2010 with Saints, before a Heineken Champions Cup Final followed in 2011. He was also instrumental in Northampton’s greatest season to date in 2014, with the side claiming their first ever Premiership title and a second Challenge Cup trophy within eight days of each other.