Lewis earns his stripes
Neil Squires
COURTNEY LAWES is sure that the ‘big hit’ is not going to become an endangered species.
The England star predicts it will still play a huge part in this World Cup – despite the rash of citings last week.
Team-mate Piers Francis joined the list of big-hitters in the dock after his challenge on USA full-back Will Hooley.
He faces a disciplinary hearing this week, which could rule him out of the rest of the group stages.
Banned
Australia’s Reece Hodge, the USA’S John Quill, plus Samoa’s Rey Lee-lo and Motu Matu’u, have each already been banned for three matches.
But Lawes – England’s premier exponent of the piledriver – is unconcerned that a World Rugby directive aimed at lowering the height of the tackle is starting to bite here.
He said: “You don’t need to hit somebody high to make a big shot.
“Plenty of players have shown that throughout rugby. You’ll always be able to make big hits legally.
“They’ve got every right to make the game safer, but most players aren’t intentionally trying to hurt each other.
It’s just mistakes happen every now and again.”
Lawes’ view is that while Francis finds himself in hot water,
England as a team have nothing much to fear from the zero-tolerance policy over head contact.
He added: “We generally don’t really tackle like that. We’re low tacklers. My own natural tackle technique is to chop.
“If I’m second man in, then I’ll aim for the ball, but unless they are carrying the ball by their face I’m probably not going to get into too much trouble.
“I’ve only had one high tackle in my whole career, so I’m doing alright.”
USA flanker Quill was redcarded in Kobe on Thursday for his high challenge on England’s Owen Farrell.
That 45-7 win over the States was one of the most commanding forward performances of the Eddie Jones era.
And while the modest nature of the opposition must be borne in mind, the sight of the England steamroller on the move will have been noted by their major World Cup rivals.
For Lawes ( left), it brought to mind the era of mighty England packs f e a t u r i n g Martin Johnson and Jason Leonard.
Lawes recalled: “They were big units – big scrummaging forwards.
“We are a bit more athletic now than back in the day, but we still hold true to our roots.
“It’s English rugby isn’t it? And Eddie absolutely loves it.
“He’s made it clear to us that he wants us to be the best pack in the world, with the most
dominant setpiece and LEWIS LUDLAM has shot from nowhere to grab a role in the business end of England’s World Cup campaign.
The Northampton back row, a surprise selection for the squad, justified his call-up with an outstanding display against the USA on Thursday, pressing his case for inclusion now the tournament gets serious.
“I try to put my best foot forward every time,” said Ludlam. “I can’t wait to get stuck in again. I just want to pull on the shirt as often as possible.
“It’s special whenever I pull on the shirt so it’s about taking
Roots
that’s what we’re striving to do.
“He knows what we’re good at.”
The scrum and rolling maul are also among the key strengths to be associated down the years with Argentina, England’s next World Cup opponents.
It certainly tees- up an ‘arm-wrestle for the ages’, when the sides meet in
Tokyo on Saturday.
And Lawes can’t wait to get stuck into the
Pumas. He s aid: “Two big, strong setpiece-based packs up against each other? We very much welcome that – I’m sure that it’ll be a great spectacle.” it in and enjoying whatever my role will be over the next few weeks – whether that is preparing the team or going out there and giving it my best.
“At the end of the day it’s about winning the World Cup as a team now. There’s no more individuals.”
England will revert to their frontline side against Argentina, with Tom Curry and Sam Underhill likely to start in the back row, but Ludlam could feature on the bench.
Joe Cokanasiga is another to have given Eddie Jones food for thought, with his double against the States taking his total to seven tries in just nine Tests. While Jonny May and Anthony Watson remain his preferred starting wings, the 122kg Cokanasiga is the definition of an impact sub.
“There are a lot of things for me to work on but I hope I have put my hand up for next week,” said Cokanasiga.
“There is strong competition for selection. Whether I am playing or not I will support the team.
“The good thing about us is that as a group we are quite close. Eddie speaks about a team of 31 and we knew coming across that some of the squad weren’t going to be picked – that’s how life is.”