Courtney Lawes' performances in the Gallagher Premiership next season will be closely monitored by England head coach Steve Borthwick as the veteran flanker targets an international comeback. Lawes retired from Test rugby after the 2023 World Cup but has rekindled his ambitions of returning to the global stage after ending his two-year stint at French second-tier club Brive to join Sale.
Lawes' path back to England
The 37-year-old flanker will not be considered for July's first phase of the Nations Championship against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, even though he becomes eligible for selection once the Pro D2 season concludes. However, alongside centre Joe Marchant, who has also signed for Sale following a spell at Stade Francais, Test centurion Lawes is firmly on Borthwick's radar for a 2026-27 campaign that leads to the World Cup in Australia.
Borthwick said: 'I'm certainly looking forward to watching Courtney in the Premiership against other players who are eligible, as I am with Joe Marchant. Watching him in Pro D2, the context is slightly different, but I know that Courtney is a proven Test match player and a proven leader.'
Character and leadership
The England head coach highlighted Lawes' character, recalling a crucial moment from the 2023 World Cup quarter-final against Fiji. 'When we took the lead against Fiji in the quarter-final, Fiji threw everything at us. At a critical moment, Courtney stepped up to win a crucial turnover. When I talk about character, I'm talking about players who are tough enough to do exactly what the team needs to win that moment. Courtney is that type of character and he's done it so many times for England at the highest level.'
Borthwick added: 'I'm delighted to have a player like that coming back to play in England, and there are a number of players at Sale who he is going to be a tremendous influence over.'
England's summer odyssey
While Lawes' comeback pursuit will be a fascinating storyline, Borthwick's immediate task is preparing his squad for a 25,000-mile summer odyssey across three continents. The tour opens against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4, continues with a clash with Fiji in Liverpool, and ends in Santiago del Estero to face Argentina – all on successive weekends. England are looking to bounce back from their worst-ever Six Nations performance, which included an historic first defeat to Italy.
Borthwick sees the itinerary as an opportunity to test his players' mettle. 'Three matches in three weeks on three continents is quite a challenge. I'm excited by challenges like this and I'm looking forward to learning even more about the players – who gets enthused and loves a challenge like this and who steps up. Each and every time I find out more about the character within this group and what we need to have going forward.'
