I want to help bring about real change! LOWDOWN: HULL V GIANTS
can be done to make the situation better.”
Lawrence has been encouraged by the growing inclusivity in rugby league and says the contribution teams and players made to the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 was a step in the right direction.
The RFL have announced all matches in 2021 will start with a 13-second pause to enable players to make their own point, whether that is by taking a knee or other ways to express their support.
“It wasn’t just a gimmick last year,” Lawrence said. “It’s something that is ongoing, there is no end date.
“Rugby league is pretty much inclusive and became even better over the last few years with the PDRL and the women’s game is growing but more can be done, you can never rest on your laurels.”
Along with fellow Jamaicans Ashton Golding and Jordan Turner, Lawrence opened up to Sky Sports
HULL will give a debut to stand-off Josh Reynolds alongside Marc Sneyd, who will captain the side. Front row forwards Jack Brown and Masi Matongo and full-back Jamie Shaul are new coach Brett Hodgson’s only injury absentees.
Giants coach Ian Watson could have seven debutants after naming new recruits Ricky Leutele, Luke Yates, Josh Jones, Joe Greenwood, Jack Cogger, Jack Ashworth and James Cunningham in his squad for his first match in charge but full-back Olly Ashall-Bott misses out, along with new club captain Michael Lawrence.
last year about his own experiences of racism, recalling how he was told as a 14-year-old by his coach that he was ‘going to have to be 10 times better than anyone else’ to get international
GIANTS SQUAD:
LAST SEASON:
LAST SIX LEAGUE MATCHES: recognition. He added: “I thought it was important to share my own experiences.
“I feel there was a lot of positive stuff last season and, when I was