Courtney Lawes
Encyclopedia
Courtney Lawes is a professional rugby player for Northampton Saints
, who play in the Aviva Premiership. Lawes is a versatile player, equally at home in the second and back rows. Indeed, he is the very epitome of the modern rugby forward, more akin to a basketball player thanks to an athletic 6 ft 7in, 115 kg frame. Lawes is also a true local Northampton
boy, raised within a stone's throw from Franklin's Gardens. Lawes is another member of the Saints Academy off the famed production line of Northampton Old Scouts, the same club that produced his former team mate Rob Milligan
as well as Ben Cohen
and Steve Thompson amongst others. Lawes has won England representative honours for the U18 and U20 sides and won his first senior cap against Australia in November 2009.
in National One in the 2007–08
season. He missed out on the 2008 U20s Six Nations through injury but featured in the IRB Junior World Championship that year.
The following season (2008–09) he played in the Guinness Premiership
, the EDF Energy Trophy and the European Challenge Cup
, receiving the Man of The Match
award in the home game against Montpellier
.
He established a reputation for making huge tackles, notably against Montpellier and in the final of the ECC Tournament against Bourgoin
where he hit Morgan Parra
in a tackle so hard that his shoulder dislocated.
In the summer of 2009 was a member of the England Under 20 team
that reached the final of the JWC
in Tokyo.
On 7 July, Lawes was selected for the England Saxons
squad. On 26 October, Lawes received his first call-up to the England Rugby Elite Squad. He made his England debut on 7 November in the 18–9 defeat against Australia at Twickenham, replacing Leicester's Louis Deacon for the last 12 minutes of the match.
On 6 March, Courtney Lawes will be starting for the first time since 8 January where he injured his knee when Northampton Saints lost against Leicester 27-16
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
, who play in the Aviva Premiership. Lawes is a versatile player, equally at home in the second and back rows. Indeed, he is the very epitome of the modern rugby forward, more akin to a basketball player thanks to an athletic 6 ft 7in, 115 kg frame. Lawes is also a true local Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
boy, raised within a stone's throw from Franklin's Gardens. Lawes is another member of the Saints Academy off the famed production line of Northampton Old Scouts, the same club that produced his former team mate Rob Milligan
Rob Milligan
Rob Milligan was a rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Guinness Premiership. He played as a number 8...
as well as Ben Cohen
Ben Cohen (rugby player)
Benjamin Christopher "Ben" Cohen, MBE is a former England rugby union international. He began his professional career with Northampton Saints in 1996; in 2007 he moved to France to represent Brive before returning to England two years later to join Sale Sharks...
and Steve Thompson amongst others. Lawes has won England representative honours for the U18 and U20 sides and won his first senior cap against Australia in November 2009.
Career
He toured Australia with England Under 18s in 2007 and made his Saints first team debut against EsherEsher RFC
Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club....
in National One in the 2007–08
National Division One 2007-08
Leeds Carnegie joined National Division One, having been relegated from the Guinness Premiership after the 2007-08 season. Otley and Manchester were promoted from National Division Two....
season. He missed out on the 2008 U20s Six Nations through injury but featured in the IRB Junior World Championship that year.
The following season (2008–09) he played in the Guinness Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
, the EDF Energy Trophy and the European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
, receiving the Man of The Match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
award in the home game against Montpellier
Montpellier Hérault RC
Montpellier Hérault Rugby Club is a professional French rugby union, based in Montpellier the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon. The club competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14. They originally played at Stade Sabathé but moved to the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in 2007...
.
He established a reputation for making huge tackles, notably against Montpellier and in the final of the ECC Tournament against Bourgoin
CS Bourgoin-Jallieu
CS Bourgoin-Jallieu is a French rugby union club currently competing in the second level of the French league system in the Pro D2. The club have been runners-up in the French championship and the Challenge Yves du Manoir competitions, and have won the Challenge Cup.Founded in 1906 as "Club...
where he hit Morgan Parra
Morgan Parra
Morgan Parra is a rugby union player who plays as a Scrum half and occasionally Fly-half. He plays for Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14 after signing for them from Bourgoin....
in a tackle so hard that his shoulder dislocated.
In the summer of 2009 was a member of the England Under 20 team
England national under-20 rugby union team
The England under 20 rugby team are the newest representative rugby union team from England. They replace the two former age grade teams Under 19's and Under 21's. They are coached by the RFU's National Academy Coach, Mark Mapletoft. Their first tournament was the 2008 IRB Junior World...
that reached the final of the JWC
2009 IRB Junior World Championship
-Pool B:---------------------Pool C:---------------------Pool D:---------------------13th Place Play-offs:Play-off Semi Finals----15th Place Final13th Place Final----...
in Tokyo.
On 7 July, Lawes was selected for the England Saxons
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
squad. On 26 October, Lawes received his first call-up to the England Rugby Elite Squad. He made his England debut on 7 November in the 18–9 defeat against Australia at Twickenham, replacing Leicester's Louis Deacon for the last 12 minutes of the match.
On 6 March, Courtney Lawes will be starting for the first time since 8 January where he injured his knee when Northampton Saints lost against Leicester 27-16