England's Lawes to end rugby career in France with Brive

English Woman's Journal - England's Lawes to end rugby career in France with Brive

SPORTS 23.02.2024

England's Lawes to end rugby career in France with Brive / Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS - AFP

Former England captain Courtney Lawes announced Friday he will leave English Premiership leaders Northampton at the end of the season to join Brive due to a "transformational offer" from the French side.

Change text size:

Lawes, 35, has spent his entire 17 seasons in senior rugby with his hometown side and had previously said he wanted to remain a one-club man.

But, having called time on his 105-cap England career after last year's World Cup in France, a lucrative move to the French second-tier club has proved too strong to resist for the back-five forward.

"I want to make it clear that I really would have liked to end my career as a one-club man, and Saints did absolutely everything they possibly could to make that happen -– our conversations were all very positive," Lawes said in a club statement.

"But, first and foremost, I have to make sure that my family and I are in the best position possible for my retirement, which will be in the next couple of years."

Lawes, who has also played five Tests for the British and Irish Lions, added: "This is likely to be the last contract I'll ever sign, and the offer I have received to play overseas will be transformational for my family, so there was no way I could turn it down and I took the decision to move away from Northampton."

Lawes, who has played 274 matches for Northampton, is following a number of other England internationals in making the switch to France, including fellow former England skipper Owen Farrell, who is joining Top 14 side Racing 92 next season.

L.McKay--EWJ

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

English Woman's Journal - England's Lawes to end rugby career in France with Brive