LAWES ORDER
Courtney is the perfect leader says pal Tom
COURTNEY LAWES has been told he is the perfect man to lead England into their World Cup Final rematch against South Africa.
Confirmation of who replaces injured Owen Farrell as captain at Twickenham on Saturday comes at lunchtime today.
But Tom Curry, like Lawes a vice-captain, insists the Northampton flanker ticks all the boxes on the occasion of his 90th England cap.
“I love Courtney,” said Curry. “I love listening to him, he’s brilliant. He leads by example and has a lot of respect within the squad.
“I’m excited the whole time but Courtney brings that element of being calm, relaxed and the voice of reason. Whatever he says carries a lot of weight.”
Lawes, 32, insists he is “not a very emotional person” yet skippering his country in his 13th year in the team left an indelible mark.
“It was amazing, an unbelievable honour, one I wasn’t sure I’d ever get,” he said. “Not many people get to represent their country let alone lead it.
“I was happy just playing and providing what I could for the team, but that was a real privilege.”
Having won just twice in seven games against the Springboks, for England and the Lions, Lawes knows the size of Saturday’s task.
Farrell, Jamie George and Ellis Genge are huge losses at any time but against world champions aiming to complete an unbeaten autumn, their absence tilts the pendulum away from England.
“We are going to need to be better, for sure, than we were against Australia,” added Lawes. “Especially in terms of the penalty count.
“That’s an area we need to clean up. We did not feel like we got through the gears at all last week. We kept Australia in it with sloppy bits around the breakdown. There is stuff we need to fix up.
“I can tell you, without thinking, that the forward battle is going to be the most important thing.”
England are set to rush back Joe Marler from Covid to bring much
needed experience to a depleted front row.
Meanwhile, South Africa have received a blow just 72 hours before the game, with Rassie Erasmus, their World Cup-winning coach, getting a two-month ban.
It follows his rant criticising officials during the British and Irish Lions tour.
World Rugby upheld six charges of misconduct and suspended him from all rugby activity.
Nic Berry, who refereed the game, said: “The public attack on my integrity and character is not something that should be tolerated in any workplace.
“Due to the actions of Mr Erasmus, my family and I have endured a significant amount of distress. My reputation as a referee and a person will forever be tarnished.”
THE 10-month-old son of former Springbok Jannie du Plessis has drowned at a party to celebrate the prop’s 39th birthday. The incident happened at his home near Johannesburg and Rudolf Straeuli, chief executive at his club the Lions, said: “We’re all devastated.”