SAINTS: Lawes' joy at Test debut
Jimmy's End giant Courtney Lawes is desperate for more of the big time after winning his first England cap on Saturday.
It may have ended in an 18-9 defeat against Australia at Twickenham, but Lawes' first run out in a Test match will be one that the Saints star will cherish forever.
The 20-year-old came off the bench for the last 11 minutes and still had time to put in one of his now customary big hits on winger Drew Mitchell, as well as stealing a ball from an Aussie maul.
He didn't have time to save England from a gloomy defeat to an Australian side that finished bottom of the Tri-nations after winning just one of their last seven games though.
Lawes is now focused on winning a second cap against Argentina this weekend.
"I am going to work as hard as I can to get back in that squad," said 6ft 7in and 17st Lawes.
"It was real good, real exciting on Saturday. Hopefully we will get a win next time. I wasn't too nervous when I came on, I just tried to do what I can do.
"It wasn't long so I just tried to make as much of an impact as I could, just play my game. I know what my strengths are and I just stuck to them."
Just three years ago Lawes was starting out in the Saints Academy, but on Saturday, with only 32 first-team games under his belt, he was starring against the touring Australians in front of 80,000 at rugby's headquarters.
The second rower received a big cheer when he ran out from the England faithful after boss Martin Johnson had earmarked him as a player with a big future.
"The fans were fantastic, they were so loud. I have never been in a stadium like that before, it was brilliant," said Lawes. "The crowd were amazing and kept on supporting us, which was real good, so it was great to get on the pitch.
"It was pretty intense, there was no real weak link in their squad to run at, but I will keep improving and hopefully keep playing better."
Lawes has passed every step up the rugby ladder with flying colours, especially with a dominant display on his Heineken Cup debut against Munster.
But he admitted Saturday was another big step up in class.
"It is a lot quicker," said Lawes. "And there is no real weaknesses in their team, so whoever you run into is going to try and hurt you. I will improve and hopefully be better next time.
"I didn't make too many mistakes, I've just got to keep on improving and making an impact on the games, whether I start or whether I am off the bench, and and just keep plugging away."
Full weekend sports round-up in today's Sport pull-out
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Man dies following motorway smash on Northamptonshire border
- BREAKING NEWS: Police inundated with hundreds of complaints over snowball fights
- Huge cigarette haul by masked burglars in armed raids at Northampton stores
- BREAKING NEWS: Police name man killed in crash on motorway in Northamptonshire
- Student flats planned for Northampton town centre revealed
- BREAKING NEWS: Fishmarket art gallery offered new home
- Student flats planned for Northampton town centre revealed
- New manager of Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre says ‘This is the beginning of a new era’
- BREAKING NEWS: Police inundated with hundreds of complaints over snowball fights
- Neighbours raise concern about bid to build new house three inches from their home
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South east
