Lowly Provence eye Lawes coup

AS English rugby comes to terms with the shock prospect of Owen Farrell moving to Racing 92, reports in France yesterday claimed that Courtney Lawes has been in talks with a second division club there.

The 34-year-old Northampton flanker, who announced his England retirement after the World Cup late last year, is understood to have visited Provence, a Pro D2 side, to assess the facilities and speak to staff.

Days earlier, Lawes (right) was the subject of rumours about a move to three-time European champions Toulon, who want to bolster their squad by recruiting Test players from the Premiership, where budgets are tighter.

Dan Biggar left Northampton in November 2022 to join the wealthy Cote d’Azur club, who went on to sign David Ribbans and are believed to have agreed terms with Saints’ club captain Lewis Ludlam.

Toulon have also been linked with Bristol’s Kyle Sinckler and Mail Sport understands that the England prop is destined to join them ahead of next season, subject to passing a medical.

Lawes is another of the bigname Premiership players who is out of contract at the end of this season and he spoke candidly last month about taking time to weigh up his options.

As a father of four, settled and close to relatives in Northamptonshire, staying a one-club man would appeal, but he is mindful of his potential market value elsewhere. Provence are third in Pro D2, in contention for promotion to France’s top flight for next season.

They have demonstrated their ambition already by recruiting players including Wales pair George North and Tomas Francis. Lawes may also be of interest to Racing’s former England head coach, Stuart Lancaster, if the funds are there for him, Farrell and a host more Galacticos at the Parisian club.