LAWES A LEAPING
England star vows to make the most of last-minute chance to take on Springboks
COURTNEY LAWES might have been last Lion in but he insists he can have a big impact in South Africa.
The England star is believed to be the player added late by Warren Gatland to expand his 36-man touring squad to 37.
The forward is injured and, unlike the rest of the Lions party, was not sent a ‘savethe-date’ email by bosses to check his availability.
But Lawes, who has 87 caps and featured in two of the Lions’ three Tests in 2017, is convinced he will not only be fit to tour but is ready to make a key contribution.
“We all know it’s going to be a huge physical competition,” said Lawes, who can play secondrow or blindside flanker. “We have to be prepared mentally for that kind of physical battle, prepared to put our bodies on the line. The Boks have a great lineout and, because they’re a big and physical pack, we’re probably going to need someone who is big, physical and can jump in the lineout and be that third option.
“That hybrid player could be ideal for this kind of Test match and I consider myself very different to the other sixes and second-rows.
“My main point of difference is my physicality, ball-carrying and hitting. But I’m still good in the lineout. That really helped me get on tour.”
Lawes, 32, admits it helped that Gatland knows him and what he can do. “Gats loves rugby, is constantly watching,” said the Northampton star.
“He will have seen that it doesn’t take me a lot of time to find my form after coming back from injuries.
With my experience I’ve been able to pick up where I’ve left off from the past couple of injuries. I feel I’ll be able to do that again.”
It has been some year for Lawes, who missed the autumn to undergo ankle surgery. He battled back to fitness and started for England against Italy in the Six Nations in February.
Having kept his place to faceWales a fortnight later, he tore a pectoral muscle preparing for the game and has not played since. “My injury was three months minimum, so I might have not even made it be back in time,” he said.
“I thought my chances were slim.To be honest, I didn’t really have any clue about selection. But luckily my surgery went really well, as has my rehab, and I’m on track.”