Courtney Lawes commits to Northampton Saints and England by signing new contract extension

Lawes ends recent speculation over a move to France by penning a new deal through to July 2020

Courtney Lawes has signed a new contract with Northampton Saints until summer 2020 (Getty )

Courtney Lawes has ended speculation linking him with a move to France for the foreseeable future by signing a new contract with Northampton Saints, ensuring that he will remain in the England fold through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and beyond.

The lock's previous contract was due to run out at the end of the current season, meaning that rival Premiership and French clubs were free to speak to him from 1 January.

Recent reports claimed that Bordeaux were among the clubs monitoring Lawes’ future, but Northampton have announced that the 29-year-old – who on Thursday was named in Eddie Jones’ England squad for the autumn internationals – has penned an extension that runs through to the end of the 2019/20 season.

“Northampton is my only club and Franklin’s Gardens is home; I was raised just down the road and the club has always meant an enormous amount to me,” Lawes said on Friday.

“The environment Chris [Boyd] and the other coaches have been building over the past few months is incredibly positive and something I’m looking forward to continuing to be a part of.”

“I’ve still got a lot to give to Saints and I’m excited to see what this squad can achieve together.”

Securing Lawes to a new deal is good news for Northampton as they look to continue their rebuilding project under former Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd, with the club looking to get back into the European Champions Cup this season before trying to crack the top four.

Having forced his way onto the British and Irish Lions tour last summer, Lawes has been one of the in-form second rows in Europe over the last two years. But a knee injury suffered in the Six Nations defeat against France last March ruled him out for the rest of the season, and meant that he was left out of the summer tour of South Africa.

Lawes has recovered from a serious knee injury suffered last season (Getty)

But the 65-cap lock returned to action at the start of the 2018/19 season and, with Joe Launchbury absent for next month’s England tests, he is competing with George Kruis, Charlie Ewels and Elliot Stooke to join Maro Itoje in the second row in a fortnight’s time.

The new deal will not only see him through to the Rugby World Cup, but will keep him eligible for the following Six Nations in 2020 before his future once again comes into question.

“We are delighted that Courtney will play his rugby at Franklin’s Gardens for at least the next two seasons,” Boyd said.

“The phrase ‘world class’ gets thrown around a lot in rugby but Courtney’s ability is nothing short of that.

“Saints have a proud history of producing and retaining home-grown talent in Northampton and Courtney is a prime example.

“Building and evolving the playing squad is a real focus for the club – we want to have a combination of talented youngsters together with world-class players, and Courtney’s contract extension is evidence of us beginning to implement that strategy.”

Lawes will start tonight’s European Challenge Cup encounter against the Dragons at Franklin’s Gardens where he will make his 214th appearance for the club as they look to bounce back from the opening weekend defeat by Clermont Auvergne.