Courtney Lawes is set to leave French side Brive at the end of the season, paving the way for a return to England.
The 37-year-old will depart Pro D2 side after two years spent in Correze, with a number of Prem clubs understood to be interested in signing the flanker.
A Brive statement read: “CAB would have liked Courtney Lawes to finish his career in Brive, but understands his desire to seize the opportunity of a new challenge in his native country and wishes him every success in this new adventure in England.”
He previously spent 17 years playing for rivals Northampton before moving to France in 2024, off the back of Saints’ second ever Prem title.
The former England captain’s return home would also re-open a path to international selection for the 105-cap forward.
“I’m having an experience in Brive that I’ll never forget, both on and off the pitch,” said Lawes.
“I’m going to give it my all until the end of the season to finish this adventure with CAB in the best possible way.”
He will follow Mako Vunipola in swapping the French second tier for the English game, with the 35-year-old former Saracens loosehead confirming his departure from Vannes last month.
A former British and Irish Lions star, making nine Test appearances across three tours, Vunipola will join Leicester from next season.
Vunipola said: “It still hasn’t sunk in. It’s something that I would never have envisaged, but I am honoured to be part of this prestigious club.
“Tigers are an incredibly well-supported club, and those fans are so passionate about their rugby.”
Additional reporting from PA
