Courtney Lawes admits he would have loved to return to Saints this summer.
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The 37-year-old has signed a one-year deal with Sale Sharks and will make the move to back to the Gallagher PREM when his current contract at French Pro D2 side Brive reaches its conclusion.
Legendary figure Lawes left Saints on a high in 2024, helping the club to claim a second PREM title, and though he says he did have talks with the black, green and gold, it seems the possibility of him returning to cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens was never really there.
Lawes says "There are only two or three clubs I would have played for in the PREM: Bath, Sale and Saints, maybe Bristol but only because Gengey (Ellis Genge) is there." "We did speak to Saints but it was a bit later on because I'd been waiting for an offer from Brive.
"Sale was the second choice for me, with my wife's family being from there and they all support Sale, that was a nice thing to be able to do.
"We moved and I did feel bad in a way to not be returning to Saints, but that's not always how it works.
"You can't have everything exactly how you want it and I'm quite happy with how it's gone."
When asked for his message to Saints fans, Lawes said: "It's not because I didn't want to come back to Saints.
"I've got an opportunity to do something truly unique (playing for England in five World Cups) and things happen."
So does Lawes still keep in contact with his former Saints team-mates?
"I do," he said.
"I speak to Fin Smith every now and again and Chunya (Munga).
"A few of the boys keep in close contact and every now and again we chat to each other.
"I'll always watch Saints and be a supporter of Saints so it's been great to see how they've done this season.
"Unfortunately they lost against Bath (in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final), but that was a hell of a game.
"It speaks for itself that Northampton Saints will always be my hometown club and I'll always support them, even though I'm playing against them."
Lawes now has the chance to face Saints next season as he gets ready for a playing return to the Gardens.
And he is relishing the prospect of squaring up to some of his friends.
"You love playing against your mates, don't you?" he said.
"I'm coming for Fin!
"I know how Mitch (Alex Mitchell) snipes as well so that will be fun."
