LAWES UNTO HIMSELF
At last, a sportsman who isn’t afraid to tackle anything. From rugby to Boris or Djokovic, England’s de facto leader will take them all on
BACK home in his converted vicarage in Northamptonshire, Courtney Lawes is immune to outside noise. Be it party politics or captaincy debates, he is more occupied by his four children as they tear around the living room on ride-on tractors, dodging the occasional Nerf gun bullet.
‘You’ve just gotta roll with the punches here,’ he says with a chuckle. ‘The twins have basically turned the house into a farmyard. They were given tractors by five different people at Christmas. It’s madness. By the time they’re ready for bed, I’m ready for bed too!’
Aged 32, Lawes is a senior statesman in Eddie Jones’ England squad but his field of interests stretch beyond the pitch. Since becoming a parent, he has found his voice with a social justice think-tank. He is comfortable in his own skin and has no fear of expressing an opinion on things outside of rugby.
Novak Djokovic? ‘It’s funny how the vaccine has been made really political in sport, isn’t it? It all seems a bit silly to me. It’s his right if he doesn’t want to have the vaccine. It’s up to him what he puts in his body. Those people who vilify him can’t force him to do anything. At the same time, if the rules say that you need a vaccine to get into a particular country — Covid, malaria, whatever — then you’ve got to abide them. I don’t know why the Australian government didn’t just say “no” to him from the word go to be honest. Everyone should be treated equally.’
Boris Johnson? ‘Ha! I’m not too bothered about politics at the moment. It’s all going over my head. What’s the point? It’s so divisive nowadays and nothing ever seems to get done. You never know what’s true and what isn’t. It’s mad, isn’t it. I just don’t see the flippin’ point.’
Does rugby need more players with opinions? ‘I listened to the guy from Roc Nation on a podcast and he discussed the importance of players growing their platforms. You want to hear players expressing opinions but does that actually attract new fans? I’m not sure. Players growing their profile is all good but the key is growing the game among youngsters. Rugby is a middle-class sport and it needs to grow its base in working-class areas.’
Fortunately, Lawes has not dipped too far into politics for leadership advice. After guiding England to a clean sweep in the autumn, he is the people’s choice to take over the captaincy from Owen Farrell. He is hoping to return to the England camp this week, although his availability to face Scotland is up in the air as he undergoes head injury protocols. Either way, he will not be waiting outside Jones’ office for the title of skipper.
‘I’m still touch and go for Scotland and I’ll just be happy to be back involved. Whether it’s as captain or at the bottom of the pecking order, I’m just happy as Larry to be playing for my country. ‘Being captain was a massive honour and I really enjoyed it, but it was never something I was dead set on doing. I’ve been in the England team for a number of years now and I’ve never thought, “Oh, I really want to be captain”. If I get the opportunity to be skipper I’ll relish it and if I don’t I’ll just crack on and do my job. I just want to be out there playing rugby.’
Having settled into the No6 jersey, Lawes has been defying his years to play some of the best rugby of his career. His goal is to inspire his kids by reaching 100 England caps and being selected for the 2023 World Cup. Lawes’ presence provides a third lineout option at the set-piece and he has become a key pillar of experience in England’s youthful squad.
‘I’m the oldest in the squad at the moment … terrible! I don’t even understand some of the language the younger guys use! To be fair, at least they’re not on their phones all the time. They’re good guys who bring a lot of energy. They don’t spend hours watching videos on Tik Tok, turning their brains into mush. Am I starting to sound like an old git now?!
‘Back in the day, I’d try to sidestep questions about Djokovic or whoever. You’d be briefed. You’d
I’m now comfortable in my own skin. I interpret stuff in my own way
be worried about saying something you’re not supposed to. I’m comfortable in my own skin now. I’ve always just done things how I want to. I like taking advice, learning and picking things up but I interpret them in my own way.
‘I just keep trying to improve because I believe I’ve still got more to give. I want to improve every day because I don’t think I’ve reached my potential. Touch wood, my body has been able to withstand the test of time so far. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, I’m just as quick and I know a lot more about rugby now. That’s probably why I’ve been able to keep my form.
‘What’s the secret? I don’t know. I used to get a lot of c**p for eating junk. Chinese takeaways. I’d always be in the fried chicken shop opposite Franklin’s Gardens. I’ve cut all that out. These days we only eat fresh at home. We even get our eggs from the chickens in the garden.’
Lawes has played 90 times for England so the century will have to wait, but he is intent on righting the wrongs of last year’s Six Nations.
‘We want to use the sting of finishing fifth last year. We certainly don’t want to finish fifth again. A lot has happened since then, though. We’ve got new players, drawn a line in the sand and had a good autumn campaign. You don’t want to spend your life looking backwards. I’m just looking forward to getting back out there.’