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Let overseas stars play for England, says Lawes

From BBC News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Courtney Lawes says England should select its best players regardless of whether they play for domestic or overseas clubs.
  • Several English internationals, including Jack Willis, remain in France and are currently outside Steve Borthwick’s selection policy.
  • Lawes and Joe Marchant must first prove themselves in the Premiership after returning to England, Borthwick has said.

Courtney Lawes believes England should stop limiting selection to players based at domestic clubs and make its best talent available by any means necessary.

The 37-year-old forward has returned to contention after signing a one-year contract with Sale, following two seasons with Brive in France’s second tier. Lawes has won 105 England caps and initially retired from Test rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup semifinal defeat by South Africa.

It's important that you have the best players available for selection. If we want the game to develop and more people to watch it, I think it has to develop.

· Courtney LawesLawes argued that England should broaden its selection policy to include players based overseas.

A number of English players remain in France, including Toulouse star Jack Willis. Willis was voted France’s best player in 2024-25 and could retain the award after being named player of the match in the Top 14 final in June. His brother Tom, Kyle Sinckler, Manu Tuilagi, David Ribbans, Billy Vunipola, Lewis Ludlam and Junior Kpoku also play in France.

I just reckon you make your best players available and by any means necessary.

· Courtney LawesLawes called for England to select its strongest players without restricting them by club location.

England has greater access to players at Premiership clubs, which also receive central payments from the Rugby Football Union and have a better chance of retaining their leading players. New Zealand, France and Ireland also favor home-based selection, while South Africa, Australia and Scotland rely heavily on players abroad.

Steve Borthwick did not include Lawes or new Sale teammate Joe Marchant in his first training camp of the season. He wants both players to establish themselves in the Premiership first, as he did with Owen Farrell after Farrell returned from Racing 92. Lawes said he understood the decision and was focused on getting back up to speed with Sale.

I've spent two years away, let's see how I go in the Prem first, I'm not really thinking about England before I can get up and running for Sale.

· Courtney LawesLawes said he accepted Borthwick’s decision to assess his Premiership form before considering him for England.
About this summary

Originally published by BBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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