Lawes eyes Johnson’s cap haul – and the next big hit
COURTNEY LAWES makes his 84th appearance for England in today’s Six Nations clash against Ireland at Twickenham but looks like he’s already been in a dust-up.
The lock/back row, who faces Andy Farrell’s Irish on his 31st birthday, was sporting an ugly black eye yesterday after an accident in training on Thursday.
Lawes will draw level with Martin Johnson’s mark, becoming England’s jointninth most-capped player and his eye looked the sort of wound the World Cup-winning captain would wear as a badge of honour. The eye was partly closed but Lawes managed the captain’s run.
He said: ‘It’s just a boo-boo — nothing too crazy. It’s all fine, just a clash. I got through today so I was all right.’
Lawes made his debut off the bench in an 18-9 defeat by
Australia in November 2009 when the captain was Steve Borthwick, now England’s skills coach.
And Borthwick says there’s more to come from Lawes who was a gangly 20-year-old when their paths crossed.
‘I remember Courtney when he first came into the England squad and the way he carried, hit and the line-out force he brought,’ says Borthwick.
‘Also, the way the other players follow him is magnificent. To still be doing it at this level is testament to him and how hard he has worked on the field but more importantly off the field to make sure his body is in the best condition to play at the elite level every week.
‘I hope there are going to be many more years of him representing England. As an England coach and supporter, to see a player who plays with such passion, determination and ferocity is impressive and satisfying. Courtney embodies that approach.’
Lawes is part of a re-jigged back row this afternoon, coming in for Lewis Ludlam at blindside flanker with
Tom Curry at No.8 and Sam Underhill at openside.
Coach Eddie Jones has attracted flak for playing players out of position, particularly Curry who’s a No.7 but Lawes is a fan. ‘We’ve got quite a good balance. Obviously, I’m quite different from those two,’ he says.
‘It’s good to have a balance but Sam and I can help Tom with our ball carrying. We just want to get around the park — we can all hit. It’s great to have a back row that can all put in a shot.’