Courtney Lawes’ decision to return to the Premiership to join Sale Sharks next season was not one that most people saw coming, because all things appeared to be good in France, following his decision to move to Brive with his family.

One of the main driving forces appears to be his desire to secure a place in the England squad for the 2027 World Cup in Australia – and to be fair, although he’s already won 105 England caps and captained his country, he must always have had it in the back of his mind that his international retirement in 2023 was negotiable.
Lawes appears to have enjoyed his t...