Courtney Lawes says he is enjoying life under Eddie Jones ahead of the November Tests
Sunday 5 November 2017 07:32, UK
England forward Courtney Lawes says he is enjoying his fine run of form and thinks head coach Eddie Jones has played a part in his improvement.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a superb 2017, playing a big role in the summer as the Lions drew their series in New Zealand, and continuing his good work for Northampton in the ongoing Premiership season.
He is now at a training camp in Portugal as England prepare for autumn internationals against Argentina (November 11), Australia (November 18) and Samoa (November 25).
Lawes told Sky Sports that Jones has helped him to become a more complete all-round player.
"My main focus as a player was always my defence," said Lawes.
"Being able to make an impact there and obviously not jeopardising the team while I am doing that.
"So - having a good percentage tackle ratio, being good in the line-out, and strong in defence there.
"Eddie came in and said I need to carry the ball, so that is what I did and here I am.
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"He's come in and said 'this is what you need to do to get into the team' and luckily I have been able to go away and do that, so hopefully I will be in the team, but you never know."
The versatile Lawes is effective at lock or in the back row, and is not overly concerned about where he is deployed.
"I feel I am best at six [blindside flanker] because I can have more impact on the game but I will play wherever I am needed," said Lawes, who feels he has come of age as a player.
"I think it is experience. Being around for quite a while now, I am much more comfortable in terms of giving my opinion.
"Being able to get into some good form is great, I am very much enjoying it, and hopefully I can continue doing so."
The England forwards will practise scrums and line-outs against Wales this week in an unusual session which Lawes thinks will prove beneficial.
"Training against ourselves, we all know what each other is about," he said.
"If we bring in another team, that are the same kind of quality, then it is only going to make us better players.
"We can work out different scenarios, figure things out, use our brain more, and that will hopefully help us against Argentina.
"Most of the players will know each other anyway. We will try and be professional, I know a lot of them are good guys, and we just want to get the most out of the session."
