Pountney wants Lawes move

Former boss believes highy-rated forward should play in the back-row

By Ally Fisher   Last updated: 2nd December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pountney wants Lawes move

Lawes: Second row for now

If I was picking the side I would play him in the back-row.

Budge Pountney
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Former Northampton Saints director of rugby Budge Pountney believes Courtney Lawes would be even better playing in the back-row.

Talented forward Lawes made his Saints debut in October 2007 as a back row replacement against Esher in National League One.

The 20-year-old has alternated between both positions since 2007; however Saints coach Jim Mallinder has installed him at lock this season alongside Juandre Kruger.

And despite Lawes making his international debut against Australia in the second row during the autumn internationals, Pountney feels his physical approach would be further enhanced in the back-row.

Tackles

Pountney told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo: "I would pick him in the back-row.

It would free him up to get round the park."

"He is very physical and great at putting in the big hits, which are so effective.

"Hits like that really damage the opposition, but playing in the second row means he is tied in a lot and can't get away to put in the big tackles.

"He does one or two a game, but if he was in the back-row he would be able to do more and teams would become very wary of him then."

Comments (1)

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James Thomason says...

Surely what we need in the England team is second rows? There is plenty of talent already available in the the back row.. maybe aside from an out and out 8 (although i feel Haskell will be an accomplished 8) All the better if Lawes gets around pitch like a flanker and puts hits in. Just leave him be..

Posted 19:33 3rd December 2009
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