Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Interest in Lawes grows as he visits another French club - report

By Josh Raisey
Courtney Lawes of Northampton Saints looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs at Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on November 12, 2023 in Northampton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

After visiting Pro D2 outfit Provence last week, England great Courtney Lawes has been again scouting a potential club next season by visiting their division rivals Brive this week.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to a report in French outlet Midi Olympiquethe 34-year-old Northampton Saints star visited Brive’s facilities on Wednesday, a week after visiting Provence’s, with a move to France next season looking increasingly likely.

Sitting in seventh place in Pro D2 currently, it is likely that Lawes would end up playing in France’s second division next season should he join Brive. Conversely, Provence sit in third place in the league and are in contention to be promoted to the Top 14 at the end of the season, and with the signings already of George North and Jules Plisson, they are building a stronger squad for next season.

Video Spacer

Red Roses Head Coach: John Mitchell excited for RWC 2025

Video Spacer

Red Roses Head Coach: John Mitchell excited for RWC 2025

Then again, any club in France would surely be interested in recruiting the 105-cap England international, who has been in exemplary form since returning from the World Cup. He has helped guide the Saints to the top of the Gallagher Premiership and was recently crowned the league’s player of the month for December.

Only one club have actually distanced themselves from the flanker/lock, and that was Toulon, who made a statement last week saying they had had no contact with the Englishman.

Lawes focus will be on another French club for the rest of the week though, Bayonne, who visit Franklin’s Gardens in round three of the Investec Champions Cup on Friday. The former British and Irish Lion was named player of the match in the round two contest with Toulon, as his side made it two from two in the competition. A win against Bayonne would leave them in a very strong position for the knockout stages ahead of a trip to Munster in round four.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Fresh Starts | Episode 2 | Sam Whitelock

Royal Navy Men v Royal Air Force Men | Full Match Replay

Royal Navy Women v Royal Air Force Women | Full Match Replay

Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 9

James Cook | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

New Zealand victorious in TENSE final | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Men's Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

FEATURE
FEATURE Rugby’s forever man Mike Brown: 'I'm a driven individual' Rugby’s forever man Mike Brown: 'I'm a driven individual'
Search