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Lawes: Jones has changed my career

Inpho
In an ominous sign for fly-halves all across the world, England’s big-hitting second-row Courtney Lawes believes his best rugby is still to come.

In an ominous sign for fly-halves all across the world, England’s big-hitting second-row Courtney Lawes believes his best rugby is still to come.

2017 has been a stellar year for the 28-year-old, who started all five of England’s 2017 Six Nations Championship games before touring with the British & Irish Lions over the summer.

The 6’7’’ lock has begun the Aviva Premiership season in fine form for Northampton Saints, captaining the side in the 24-6 win over Bath last week, and earning plaudits for his eye-catching performances.

Lawes has 58 England caps to his name already, but has expanded his game over the last two years and credits Eddie Jones with helping to reinvigorate his career.

“The best is yet to come, yes, for sure, I want to reach my true potential,” Lawes told the Independent. “I don’t feel I am anywhere near where I can be. I just want to put it all out there.

“I haven’t reached the peak that I want to reach and if that doesn’t happen, then I won’t feel fulfilled.

“This is the longest stretch I have been without injury in my career. That makes a lot of difference. But I’m also working harder on my game than ever.

“Of course, I used to train hard and all that, but I never really pushed myself. I thought I might have been doing so but I wasn’t.

“Eddie Jones has been very influential in getting me to where I am.”

Jones’ influence has benefitted Northampton this season, where Lawes has played since 2007, and Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder explained his thinking in choosing the lock as a captain.

“Courtney is playing as well as he has ever done for us,” said Mallinder. “He has been getting better as the year has progressed.

“Courtney has grown up in lots of ways, we’d never really have considered him a natural leader, he’s just too laid-back. But that’s changed.

“With Dylan [Hartley] sidelined, Courtney has stepped up and has the complete respect of the boys.”