Courtney Lawes: “I’ve said to the boys, anyone that’s asked. I think it’s time. I’ve done four World Cups, so I’m pretty happy with that. It’s an end of an era, but it’s been a real honour for me to represent England for so long. It flies by. I’m proud of the journey I’ve been on.”
Last Updated: 22/10/23 11:21pm
Courtney Lawes has been capped 105 occasions for England
Test centurion Courtney Lawes has revealed he’ll retire from England obligation following the Rugby World Cup.
The 34-year-old’s bid to end his worldwide profession on a excessive was cruelly ended by Saturday’s heartbreaking 16-15 semi-final loss to South Africa in Paris.
Vice-captain Lawes is a veteran of 4 World Cups, two British and Irish Lions excursions and considered one of solely 5 Englishmen to be capped 100 occasions.
Steve Borthwick’s aspect will return residence from France following Friday night’s bronze-medal match in opposition to pool-stage opponents Argentina.
Lawes, who has made 105 worldwide appearances throughout 15 years, mentioned: “I haven’t told Steve yet! But I will let him know.
“I’ve mentioned to the boys, anybody that is requested. I feel it is time. I’ve executed 4 World Cups, so I’m fairly pleased with that.
Courtney Lawes says England gave the whole lot and will have claimed the win in opposition to South Africa of their Rugby World Cup semi-final
“It’s a bit of an end of an era, but it’s been a real honour for me to represent England for so long. It flies by. I’m proud of the journey I’ve been on. It’s not always been the ups. Plenty of downs in there, but I’ve pushed through.
“I’m not an emotional individual actually, but it surely’s simply been an enormous honour for me. To give you the option to end with this group, it is one thing I’ll treasure ceaselessly.”
England travelled to the World Cup in poor form and with many pundits dismissive of their prospects.
But they came agonisingly close to reaching a second successive final after leading the reigning champions for all but five minutes of an enthralling last-four encounter which was settled by Handre Pollard’s late penalty.
“It’s a type of the place we thought we had it, however let it slip away on the similar time,” said Lawes. “But we have proved lots of people flawed. You give all of it you’ve got received. It’s sport, is not it?
“That’s what it means at the highest level. You get a couple of things wrong and get punished.
The 2023 World Cup in France was Lawes’ fourth World Cup for England
“But lots of people thought we would have struggled, and ultimately we had been unfortunate to lose.”
Lawes made his England debut against Australia in 2009 when head coach Borthwick was team captain.
The flanker was a beaten finalist against the Springboks in 2019 and also played in the 2011 and 2015 tournaments, in addition to representing the Lions in 2017 and 2021.
He believes England have a bright future under Borthwick and is determined to sign off by helping the team finish third.
“We confirmed to everybody what it means to play for this group,” said Lawes. “Play for your nation and the boys alongside you.
“I think people can see now what a good coach he is – and where this team can really go.
“We need to end on a excessive. It’s essential for us to end correctly and ship us all off on a superb win.”
Courtney Lawes captained England to a 2-1 series victory in Australia in July 2022
Father-of-four Lawes joined World Cup-winning prop Jason Leonard and international team-mates Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell and Dan Cole on a select list of England centurions in August by captaining his country in a shock warm-up defeat to Fiji at Twickenham.
He waved to fans at Stade de France following England’s dramatic elimination and intends to spend more time with his children while continuing to play for Northampton.
“The youngsters are at that age the place they want their dad round,” he said. “It can be good to be with them extra, to present some well-needed construction to the mob.
“As hard as it is being away from your family, you almost have another family. You really feel like that, especially when you’re away in camps like World Cup camps. It’s five months, staying with your brothers.
“I’ll undoubtedly miss the boys, the banter and all of the stuff we rise up to once we’re not coaching. I’ll miss the laborious work as nicely.
“And I’ll definitely miss pulling the jersey on and giving it everything.”
Discussion about this post