'I didn't get an email' - Courtney Lawes' reaction to British and Irish Lions call-up
Courtney Lawes has revealed his shock at making Warren Gatland’s 37-man British and Irish Lions squad – then quickly pledged to be fighting fit in time for the South Africa tour.
Lawes was training with Northampton when rugby director Chris Boyd stopped the session, and told the entire Saints squad that the England back-five forward and Wales fly-half Dan Biggar had both won Lions places.
The 32-year-old admitted he had not received a ‘save the date’ email from Lions staff teeing up selection, leading him to put aside any thoughts of making the touring squad.
But after winning selection, the 87-cap back-five forward insisted he will be fully past his recent pectoral injury in good time for the tour.
“I was pretty surprised, I just didn’t really have any clue,” said Lawes. “Some players got emails and things like that, but I didn’t get an email.
“I didn’t last time either, so I was pretty much in the dark and waiting to see if I would get a shot basically.
“And obviously not being fit at the minute I thought my chances were quite slim, but I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
“I don’t think I really worried about it too much.
“I kind of guessed I didn’t get an email either because I’m in the team, or because I’m nowhere near the team!
“So I just didn’t really worry too much about it.
“We were out training, then Boydy pulled us all in and let everybody know that me and Biggs were in the team.
How they found out ?
Watch the moment that Chris Boyd revealed to the squad – and the duo themselves – that Dan Biggar and Courtney Lawes had been called up by @lionsofficial ? pic.twitter.com/L8OIQgTE8o
— Northampton Saints ? (@SaintsRugby) May 6, 2021
“It was very cool. I’m glad I was in because it would have been awkward if Biggs was in and I wasn’t!”
Lawes’ Six Nations was cut short by a pectoral injury in March, and now the hard-hitting forward revealed he is closing in on a comeback.
“I’m only a couple of weeks away from being fit now, two or three weeks, so I’ll get a bit of game time before the end of the season, which is great,” said Lawes.
“And luckily due to experience I’ve been able to come back and pick up where “I’ve left off from the last couple of injuries, so hopefully I’ll continue that and I feel like I’ll be able to.
“And in terms of the tour, I think it’s going to be great, obviously it’s going to be very, very different, with all of the Covid stuff going on.
When your rugby credit rating is A++#LionsRugby #Lions2021 #Lions https://t.co/nCxgxlOYFH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 6, 2021
“But I think we’ll just climb into it and work hard.
“Hopefully the best players on the best form will be picked for the Tests.
“And I’m looking forward to hopefully putting my name forward.”
The Lions will take on Japan in Edinburgh on June 26 before heading out for eight matches in South Africa, with the three-Test series against the world champion Springboks starting on July 24.
Lawes’ Northampton team-mate Biggar’s inclusion means the Lions will have three fly-halves on tour, with Scotland’s Finn Russell and England’s Owen Farrell also making the cut.
LIONS: The biggest omissions after some massive left-field selections made Warren Gatland's squad. #Lions #LionsRugby #Lions2021 https://t.co/BM1Pk6dCfW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 6, 2021
Farrell could easily operate at inside centre though, in a role he filled under Gatland during the drawn Test series with New Zealand in 2017.
Biggar has been in fine form in recent months, and Lawes believes the 31-year-old has a strong case to start in the Test matches.
“Yeah of course he has a chance to start the Tests,” said Lawes.
“And it will be an interesting battle between him and Finn Russell because they are both on great form, and they are quite different 10s.
“And it will be very interesting to see who gets picked and what kind of form they are on in a Lions shirt.
“But he’s got a hell of a shot at starting in the Tests.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Can’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
1 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to commentsSpot on Ben. Dead right. Havili looked great at 10. Easily the highest rugby IQ of any NZ player these days. Getting a kick charged down is a result of getting used to adjusting your depth to the line at 10, which he will sort out with time. But other than that it was an outstanding first effort in that position this year. I think the NZ media has misunderstood this directive from Razor. Havili might rank behind B Barrett this year, but Beuden is 33 this month and won't last much longer. DMaC is great but flaky and not really a test match animal (his efforts in Dunedin versus Aus last year for example). If Razor can't have Mounga, DMaC is too unstructured for Razor (and is just too small for test rugby). Havili will end up our first choice first five, and in partnership with Jodie will be excellent. Two triple threat operators in tandem, and big bodies and tough tacklers to boot. Jordoe will be the ABs goal kicker. I am an Aucklander and Blues (and Warriors) fan, but Havili at 10 is going to be sensational in time… he can be the best first five in the world by the end of this year. No question.
6 Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
8 Go to commentsGood riddance
1 Go to commentswel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
6 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
6 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
6 Go to comments