Lawes said Northampton did “everything they could” for him to stay, but the offer from Brive was “transformative” to him and his family.
Lawes, 35, came through the academy and broke into the first team aged 18, going on to make 274 matches while also winning 105 Test caps for England and five for the British & Irish Lions.
“I really would have liked to end my career as a one-club man, and Saints did absolutely everything they possibly could to make that happen,” Lawes said. “But, first and foremost, I have to make sure that my family and I are in the best position possible for my retirement, which will be in the next couple of years.
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