Northern | US

Distraught England fans take to Twitter to lament Lawes injury


England's Courtney Lawes
Comments
Comment

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Video Spacer

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

Stream Nations Championship 2026 LIVE

Hemispheres collide in the new Nations Championship. Stream live, replays and highlights free on RugbyPass TV.

Watch on RPTV
Starts 4th July 2026 - USA only.
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

P
Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



...

18 Go to comments
Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Copied to clipboard

Share Article close