Exclusive: Courtney Lawes hopeful he can see out career at 'home' with Northampton Saints

Courtney Lawes is hopeful that he can finish his career as a one-club man as talks progress on extending his 17-year stay at Northampton.

Lawes has shone on his return from the World Cup, where he brought to an end his illustrious England career, to guide Saints to the top of the Premiership and off to a perfect start in the Champions Cup.

The 34-year-old said his decision to retire from international rugby was to spend more time with his family rather than because he felt he could no longer contribute at that level.

And family considerations are also on his mind before signing what he expects to be his final professional contract.

Lawes bucked the trend of star names leaving England behind to join French clubs when he signed an extension to his deal in April last year, but revealed to TNT Sports he had taken a significant pay cut to do so.

“We're in talks. I want to say 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 because I wasn't happy with leaving on a season like that. I've got to be paid what I'm worth. I’m very hopeful that it'll work out.”

Leaving Northampton would be a huge wrench for Lawes, who grew up around Franklins Gardens and has spent his entire career there.

“You play rugby because you love it, but you also play rugby because you earn money from it and you've got to provide for your family. Ultimately to leave a legacy behind you that hopefully one day when your kids are sat in the sun, they can be somewhat proud of, you.

“This is my home and regardless of what happens, I, I'll always end up back here.”

A birthday at home next month for the first time in over a decade is one of the benefits from international retirement that Lawes is looking forward to.

But not losing him to Six Nations duty with England could also play a major part in helping Northampton win a first Premiership title in a decade or conquer Europe for just the second time.

“We certainly can,” added Lawes on whether Northampton can lift silverware this season. “We’ve just got to believe in ourselves and we do.”

Despite coming towards the twilight of his career, the second rower is showing no signs of slowing down or lack of the hunger to maintain his phenomenally high standards.

“I'm here to win. I’m here to be the best and I'm here to do my best for the team," he added.

That is music to Saints’ fans ears for now, but may come at a cost should they see one of their greatest ever players depart come the end of the season.

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