Courtney Lawes takes aim at RFU with blunt message: “I don’t see why”

The 37-year-old is back in contention to add to his 105 Test appearances after signing a one-year deal with Sale Sharks following two seasons in France with Brive.

Lawes believes England should now reconsider their policy of only selecting players based at domestic clubs, arguing Borthwick should have access to the best English talent regardless of where they play.

Under the current rules, players based overseas are generally unavailable for England selection, leaving several high-profile stars across the Channel out of Borthwick’s reach.

Lawes understands why the RFU wants to encourage England internationals to remain in the domestic game but believes restricting selection is ultimately counterproductive.

“I can see why they do it because they don’t want all their players playing abroad, but I don’t think that’s necessarily going to be the case anyway,” said Lawes.

“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.

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

“I don’t see why you’d limit yourself.”

Perhaps the most notable player currently affected by the policy is Toulouse flanker Jack Willis.

Willis was voted the best player in France for the 2024/25 season and further enhanced his reputation with a player-of-the-match performance in the Top 14 final in June.

He is far from the only English player currently plying his trade in France.

His brother Tom Willis is also across the Channel, while Kyle Sinckler, Manu Tuilagi, David Ribbans, Billy Vunipola, Lewis Ludlam and highly-rated Junior Kpoku are among the other English-qualified players based in France.

Lawes himself had been unavailable for England during his spell with Brive, but his move to Sale has brought the 105-cap forward back into the selection picture.

Now the former England captain believes it is time for the RFU to reconsider whether those restrictions should remain at all.