Courtney Lawes future at Northampton remains uncertain

Northampton Saints are facing a tough battle to keep one of their most prized assets, England flanker Courtney Lawes, at Franklin's Gardens.

With just a few months left on his current contract, negotiations are still ongoing, and the club is eager to secure his signature.

Saints have already lost England lock Dave Ribbans to Toulon, and the potential departure of Lawes would be a significant blow for the club. Lawes - who made a successful return from injury today in their win against Saracens - has been an integral part of the Saints team for over a decade, making over 200 appearances and establishing himself as one of the best forwards in the world.

The 34-year-old's contract negotiations have been ongoing for some time now, and there have been reports that he has attracted interest from a number of top clubs in England and France. However, Northampton are hoping that they can convince Lawes to stay put and continue to be a key figure in their plans.

Speaking on BT Sport, Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson confirmed that negotiations were ongoing, saying 'Currently we are negotiating that but thanks for the question Ugo' when asked by BT Sport's presenter Ugo Monye if Lawes was staying, before playfully pushing Monye off camera after the pitchside interview was completed.

Despite the lighthearted moment, it is clear that the situation is serious for the club.

Northampton Saints have had an up-and-down season but Dowson's side are finding form as the season goes on, beating a 14-man Saracens side this afternoon to keep their play-off dreams alive.

Losing a player of Lawes' calibre would be a significant blow, both in terms of his on-field contributions and his leadership off the field.

The England veteran's versatility is also a major asset for Northampton, as he is equally comfortable playing in the second row or the back row. His physicality and athleticism make him a real handful for opposition teams, and his ability to turn over possession and disrupt opposition attacks has been crucial for the Saints over the years.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Courtney Lawes and Northampton Saints. However, the fact that negotiations are ongoing at this late stage of the season will be a cause for concern for the club's fans. They will be hoping that Lawes - a one-club man -pens a new deal in the coming weeks.