England and British & Irish Lions utility forward Courtney Lawes has signed a new contract with Premiership club Northampton Saints.
The 34-year-old has spent his entire career at the club and has turned down offers abroad to remain at Northampton.
One club man
Lawes will now prolong his stay at Franklin’s Gardens, having first featured for Northampton in 2007. He has gone on to make 263 appearances.
His contract extension comes as a boost for the English game following Manu Tuilagi signing fresh terms with Sale.
“Courtney is an incredible player – one of the very best in the world, whether he is playing in the second-row or at flanker,” said Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson.
“His international experience with England and the Lions is almost unparalleled, but off the field, he gives our group so much in terms of confidence and leadership.
“I am sure a lot of clubs over in France and Japan would have been keen to see Courtney turn out for them for the next few years.
“I know our supporters will be thrilled that he has decided to stay in Northampton and remain a one-club man, as he’s one of the best to have ever worn the black, green and gold.”
‘Wouldn’t have felt right to me to leave now‘
Lawes made his England debut in 2009 and also toured twice with the Lions – to New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa four years later – making five Test appearances. He has represented England 96 times.
“The club means a lot to me personally, and I wanted to stay here,” Lawes said.
“I especially didn’t want to leave at the end of a season where I have not played much and I have not made as big a contribution as I would have wanted.
“It wouldn’t have felt right to me to leave now, so I was really keen to continue at Saints for that reason, but also because it’s so important for us as a squad to continue to build on what we’ve done over the last few seasons.”
Lawes won the Challenge Cup in 2009 and the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2010 with Saints before a Heineken Champions Cup Final followed in 2011.
In 2014, he played a crucial role in helping Saints claim their first-ever Premiership title and a second Challenge Cup trophy within eight days of each other.
He has represented England at three World Cups (helping the Red Rose reach the final in 2019).
He has won three Six Nations titles, including a first Grand Slam in 13 years in 2016.
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