Courtney Lawes makes the most of Eddie Jones ultimatum with his sights set on being the best second row in the world

A resurgent Lawes believes he can get even better after changing his game to remain part of Jones' England plans

Courtney Lawes believes he's playing the best rugby of his life after changing his game (Getty)

Courtney Lawes has set himself the target of delivering performances like his impactful showing against Wales last weekend on a regular basis on order to become “one of the best second rows in the world” after being given an ultimatum by Eddie Jones.

The England head coach took over the role with Lawes fading out of the side, with both George Kruis and Joe Launchbury ahead of him in the second-row pecking order and the rapidly emerging Maro Itoje quickly passing him too.

Having broken onto the international stage eight years ago at the age of 20, Lawes soon forged a reputation for being England’s hard-hitting enforced, with his bone-crunching tackles leaving many a man in a heap on the turf. However, with this came a drop-off in his work rate with the ball in hand, and Jones was quick to point out his flaws before conveying that message to the Northampton Saints lock in no uncertain terms.

“It was Eddie who pointed it out,” Lawes said at England’s London base in Kensington, home for the 25-man squad during the first off-week of this year’s Six Nations. “I used to carry a lot more when I was younger, then I kind of went away from it. Eddie pointed out that that is what he wanted me to do. I had a choice; carry on doing what I was doing and probably not play for England again, or develop my game, again – back to what it was.

“It was very good for me. I needed to push myself more and that’s what he made me do so it’s been much better for my game. It means that I don’t have to rely on a big defensive performance to have played well. Of course I have to make sure the basics are in good order too: that my rucking is good, my lineout I’ve been working hard on.

“I know now that is what he wants from me. I wasn’t in the place I needed to be when I first met him. And, now, hopefully I’m getting there.”

Lawes is one of eight players in the current squad to have played under the reigns of Martin Johnson, Stuart Lancaster and now Jones, but few were as impactful as the 6 ft 7 in lock during the early years under England’s Rugby World Cup-winning captain. The problem for Lawes is that he failed to build on his promising start as the thumping tackles took their toll on his body, and despite making his debut before both Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, he trails them in the international caps department.

“My career did start well and I had some highs, but then got knocked down a couple of pegs for whatever reason, injury or whatever, then not finding my form,” Lawes admitted. “I’m trying to stay fit and get better.”

Ahead of his 28th birthday next Thursday, Lawes believes he’s finally in the best conditioning of his life, and feels that despite improving his game to take a leading role in the 21-16 victory over Wales last weekend, he can up his game even further.

“I’m playing the best since Saints won the title against Saracens [in 2014]. I don’t think I’m done here yet either. I really want to see where my potential can take me and find where that limit is,” he adds.

Lawes has gone about improving his carrying, rucking and lineout work (Getty)

“There was a lot less competition for places when I first started playing. But that being said, I realise that I just want to see how good I can be, see where I can go. Whether that be here – maybe I'm at my limit – or one of the best second rows in the world. Who knows? I want to find out. That's the main thing.

“You can't be the best player in the world for a game and think you're the best player in the world. You've got to be good. I've got to be a good player for a long time. That's the goal.

Lawes wants to unlock his own potential to see how far he can go towards being the best lock in the world (Getty)

“Whatever happens in the summer I want to perform, wherever I end up going,” Lawes adds, acknowledging that his hopes of being included on the British and Irish Lions tour are far from over if he can maintain his purple patch. “I want to stay fit and keep performing well and keep getting better every week.”