Courtney Lawes: Northampton Saints 'titan' deserves ‘fairytale ending’ of Gallagher Premiership Rugby crown – Ugo Monye

All good things must come to an end. That is the reality facing Courtney Lawes and all associated with Northampton Saints as the veteran lock prepares to bring the curtain down on his near 20-year stay at his boyhood club.

Lawes, who grew up a stone’s throw away from Franklin’s Gardens and rose through the academy ranks, has made 251 appearances for Northampton but will depart for France at the end of the season.

However, he has an opportunity to write one final chapter to his incredible story when Saints take on Bath in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership Rugby final at Twickenham, live on TNT Sports.

It comes at the end of a table-topping campaign in which the 35-year-old proved he is still one of the best players in the world. He was instrumental in a semi-final victory over Saracens and will certainly be on Bath’s radar as they look to end a 28-year domestic drought.

But planning to stop the 6ft 7in giant and executing are two very different things. Few are more effective at the breakdown, while he remains a fierce carrier even at this stage of his career.

Ahead of the final, TNT Sports pundit Ugo Monye praised the longevity of his former England team-mate and admitted it would be a “fitting“ send-off for Lawes should Saints triumph.

“There’s probably no-one more synonymous with Northampton Saints than him,” Monye said. “I know Alex Waller in terms of appearances is another club legend but Coutrney Lawes as a figure beyond just Northampton because of everything he’s also done for England, he is a proper totem pole.

“He is a titan for Northampton. I made my England debut with him in 2008 and he’s still trucking on. He plays his last game for England and then in 2024 he’s in a Premiership final.

“In his position with the injuries and being rebuilt time and time again and being able to develop his game, he’s played multiple different positions and his general positive output every single week to influence big matches.

“His final act with Northampton Saints playing at Franklin’s Gardens was being part of a turnover which got Northampton to the final. How good is that?

“Everyone wants a fairytale ending but few get it. There’s been players who absolutely deserve it, most do, but what a fitting end it would be for Courtney.”

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