Distraught England fans take to Twitter to lament Lawes injury
After a humbling defeat to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, England have been dealt further bad news as Courtney Lawes will miss the rest of the Six Nations with a calf injury.
The second-row limped off in the second half at the Principality Stadium, and looked to be in a lot of discomfort.
England fans were obviously not happy about this news, but were particularly aggrieved as Lawes was displaying some of the best form of his career before the injury.
The 30-year-old was making the second start of the Championship, after filling in for Maro Itoje, who was injured against Ireland. He was monumental against France at Twickenham, showcasing some of his crunching tackles.
He was equally as impressive in the first half against Wales, as he spearheaded a belligerent English defence that were getting on top of the Welsh attack.
It has been well documented that Lawes has put on weight in recent months, and that seems to be paying dividends. He has remained mobile around the field, whilst increasing his physicality in contact. That is why so many fans are disappointed to see him miss out, however, they are aware that the priority still remains to be fit come the World Cup at the end of the year.
https://twitter.com/paccrash/status/1099931543550771200
https://twitter.com/T4NKx/status/1099793212208807936
https://twitter.com/Stephen91314828/status/1100004382614138880
https://twitter.com/AshmanSteve/status/1099997986652860416
https://twitter.com/m28oon/status/1099796576275439616
https://twitter.com/joeypharris/status/1099771971162828801
https://twitter.com/alexshawsport/status/1099763953675186178
Written and filed before “hurry Itoje back” quotes, but only more apt now, I think. At least open it and read the six points for calling up Kpoku before dismissing it out of hand. https://t.co/a6WPXZMuQV
— Alex Shaw (@alexshawsport) February 25, 2019
England’s resources are being tested at the moment, particularly with Itoje in absentia too. Fortunately for England fans and Eddie Jones, they still have some of the best locks in world rugby at their disposal, and this is the position that they are the most blessed in.
A lot of fans expect Joe Launchbury to step up to replace Lawes and partner George Kruis in the second-row. The Wasps captain is a different player to Lawes, but is instrumental nonetheless. He is unlucky to not start for England every game, but he will have the opportunity to prove to Jones what an asset he is.
Meanwhile, some fans are hoping that Itoje will be fit for the visits from Italy and Scotland in the final rounds of the tournament. The Saracen is close to recovery, and his return would help England’s fortunes regarding injuries. One fan has also called for Saracens and England under-20 star Joel Kpoku to get a chance against Italy after a barnstorming start to his career with the Premiership champions.
While Lawes is a huge miss for England, it is clear the fans have the confidence that he can be replaced.
https://twitter.com/MrsKB82/status/1099774117090349058
https://twitter.com/paccrash/status/1099930000478953472
https://twitter.com/Ollie_Jackson89/status/1099772639143436290
https://twitter.com/hayward_gordon/status/1099771025758322689
https://twitter.com/BenBradford5/status/1099770356280320000
https://twitter.com/domspicer/status/1099793142172319744
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments