Lawes Hopes For Senior Role In England Resurgence

As English rugby heralds a new dawn following the resignation of Martin Johnson, now is the time for the country's young guns to prove they have the mettle to take the team forward.

A focus on youth appears to be the recipe for progression, with the new generation heading towards their first post-World Cup test in February's Six Nations. Aficionados will say that this is one of English rugby's most talented generations in recent memory, but the ultimate potential of such a side will rest on the attitudes of those collective individuals.

While all talk of elite squads remains on the backburner, for players like Courtney Lawes, this is a time to stake a claim for seniority in a squad which is very much in transition.

"I've been in the squad  for a good couple of years now and have missed out on a couple of opportunities to play in big games, which is quite disappointing. I'll be looking to stamp my mark on a place," says Lawes.

The explosive lock maintains a slight reservation when discussing the future. His uncertain manner is indicative of the feeling surrounding English rugby, while his ushered tone comes across as out of character for a man who is considered a firebrand on the field.

However, for Lawes there will be more chances to show maturity, starting this weekend in Northampton Saints' do-or-die Heineken Cup clash with Castres Olympique.

"We've got to win, it's non-negotiable. We're going to go out there and give it our all and hopefully we'll get a bit luckier than we have been," says a more certain Lawes.

Currently sitting third in their pool group, Saints have faced a difficult European run thus far, but with the likes of Lawes, Dylan Hartley, Ben Foden and Chris Ashton looking to make amends for a lacklustre autumn, now is the time to show maturity by navigating Northampton out of their current predicament.

"We're still in the competition, even if it's depending on what other teams do. As long as there's chance, we'll go for it.

"You've got to analyse the other teams and look at what their strong and weak points are. It's important to do that, but at the same time stick to what you know, stick to your game plan and don't stray too far from it."

Following a morning of meeting coaches and young players, it's hard to forget that Lawes is still a young man himself. Despite being a hulking six-foot, seven-inch specimen, he is still only 22 years old. However,  he believes these experiences both on and off of the field are helping to shape him as a player.

When asked what he learned from the World Cup and its surrounding circus, Lawes is more candid. "You just get experience from being there and being in that situation. Obviously I didn't get in any trouble off of the field, but you can see how easy it is for that to happen, even if you're not doing anything wrong. 

"It makes you more aware of what some people are like in the world and what they're out to do.  The media take a few things out of proportion and put an unneeded and unwanted pressure on the team. 

"If that is what's going to happen then you've just got to deal with it. The press have a job to do the same as we have."

While it is easy to dwell on an autumn of intrusive tabloids and a judgmental public, Lawes would rather move on. "We're still a very young team and have a lot to give. 

"Although we didn't do as well as we should have done [in the World Cup], we have a good while now to prepare for the next one."

For now though, it's business as usual for Lawes and co. He'd love to look misty-eyed into the future, but will concede that the initial prospects lay in England's showing in the Six Nations. This is a team seemingly bound for glory and it's key that they get the recipe right now.

"It's important to keep a good young squad together, especially at international level. That doesn't often happen, but we've got the opportunity now and I think we can do well." 

The next twelve months will be the perfect indication as to whether Lawes can develop  on the field as much as England can control themselves off of it. From hereon in the only person who can stand in his way, is himself.

Courtney Lawes is the latest in an impressive line-up of coaches and players joining The Rugby Site, involving the likes of Graeme Henry, Ritchie McCaw, Dan Carter and Shane Williams the Rugby Site is a new website offering coaching videos from some of the world's most celebrated names in rugby. Get inside the game now at www.therugbysite.com.