Courtney Lawes admits he has a lot of built-up frustration that he is looking to release following the 2013 RBS 6 Nations – starting with Leicester Tigers this weekend.
The Northampton Saints lock headed into England’s Six Nations campaign looking to make up for lost time having been injured for the tournament the previous year.
But it proved to be another disappointing campaign as despite featuring in all five games, Lawes made just one start and this came in the unfamiliar role of flanker for the visit of France.
However Lawes has jumped straight back into action for Saints, playing the full 80 minutes in an Premiership victory over London Wasps last weekend.
And the 24-year-old is looking for more of the same against Leicester Tigers this weekend to ensure he doesn’t have to watch next year’s Six Nations pass him by as well.
“It [the RBS 6 Nations] didn’t go how I hoped,” said Lawes. “I didn’t play as much as I hoped. I felt I was on good form going into the Six Nations but when you are on the bench for so long you lose that form. Unfortunately I did and it told when I was playing.
“I’m just glad to be back and playing and hope next time I get a good run from the start.
“The main thing for me coming back last week was to start and know I was going to get a good lot of game time to do my thing. I thought I played reasonably well against Wasps.
“I’ve some good mates in the Leicester side but it’s easy to flick that switch, especially against big rivals. You don’t think who is running at you, it’s another player and you have to make that tackle.”
