Courtney Lawes has sent a warning to Northampton and told the club, “I've got to be paid what I'm worth,” after having talks with Racing 92 and two ProD2 clubs, Brive and Provence.
Lawes, below, who retired from international rugby after the World Cup, is out of contract at the end of the season and is weighing up all of his options.
The Lions star, who will celebrate his 35th birthday next month, admits that this is likely to be his last contract, and he has to do what's best for his young family.
“We're in talks, you've got to keep your options open, especially at this point in my career. This will probably be my last contract. You've got to do what's best for your family,
“I took a decent pay cut last year to stay here, but I've got to be paid what I'm worth, ” said Lawes, who could pick up between €25,000 and €30,000 a month playing for Brive.