'His skin folds have come down 15 per cent': How Ollie Lawrence responded to the England axe
There was much hue and cry in recent times about the cold-hearted way in which Ollie Lawrence, an England starter in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations versus Scotland, was tossed aside by Eddie Jones for the subsequent matches against Italy and Wales.
Having been chosen at inside centre for just his fourth Test cap, the 21-year-old was starved of the ball and it wasn't until around the hour mark that he finally had some possession that he was able to carry.
Rather than some of Jones' under-performing stars paying the ultimate selection price after the loss to the Scots, the only England backline alteration was the omission of Lawrence from the matchday 23 to take on the Italians, a gambit that saw skipper Owen Farrell shift out to centre from out-half to accommodate the inclusion of George Ford.
It was a difficult demotion for the youngster who is still learning the ropes at Test level, given that he only first hooked up for England training last October, but he has now returned to the international reckoning, making the bench for this Saturday's round four clash with France at Twickenham.
It's a development that has pleased Jones, the coach who had no qualms excluding the rookie Test centre just four weeks ago amid the fall-out from the defeat to Scotland. Asked about his pep talks with Lawrence, the England boss said: "I can't really share the private conversations I have had with Ollie, as you'd appreciate.
"But what I can tell you is that I have been really impressed by his desire to improve. I'll just give you one area: he has gone from 96kgs in bodyweight to 99kgs, his skin folds have come down 15 per cent, so he has got himself in much better physical condition - and there have been other parts of his game where he has worked really hard on to improve. I couldn't be more pleased with his progress."
That change in Lawrence's body shape has apparently been a work in progress dating back to his inclusion for Autumn Nations Cup duty and is evidence that Jones does believe the midfielder has the tools to become a long-term option for England. Speaking after he had dropped Lawrence post-Scotland, Jones had declared: "There are areas of his development we want him to go work on because we want him to go be a 50-cap player and that is what we are trying to develop with him.”
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He doesn't generally do it at all, for anybody, so don't say too much the next one could be just as positive about the Springboks if you don't get carried away!
He also pointed out the "no killer instinct" narrative that they simply weren't good enough. Do yo disagree that SA were that great against NZ?
Readying the article I didn't even see that as a dig towards SA SF, simply an exciting take on how close the ABs really are again to those at the top. I feel it is more you that is taking away from this enjoyment with you replay that is largely based on a lot of old resentment.
Just enjoy how good the rugby is and that NZ is back baby!
Go to commentsAttack coach? What "attack"? All I saw was headless chooks pinballing around the paddock. This whole coaching group needs a shake-down. The BFs have regressed at pace since the Prof & Cronnie days.
We have immense talent, some of the best in world rugby, but it's wasted on this coaching group. I put Bunting in the same loser category as Penney & Foster. At this point in time, success at RWC2025 seems a longshot!?!
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