Manu just a pleasure to play with, says Lawrence
OLLIE Lawrence finished the agonising defeat by France playing alongside boyhood idol Manu Tuilagi in a symbolic moment for England’s midfield.
Bath powerhouse Lawrence gave a coming-of-age performance in the 33-31 reverse in Lyon, crossing either side of half-time in an impressive display of power running that was a continuation of his stellar club form.
It was evidence that the 24-yearold centre is ready to provide the ball-carrying might that has been Tuilagi’s calling card since making his debut in 2011.
England have longed to find a defence-smashing alternative to Tuilagi during his regular spells out through injury and at the weekend they finally witnessed a passing of the baton, with the 32-year-old veteran almost certainly playing his final Test ahead of joining French club Bayonne next season.
Eddie Jones drew a comparison between what they offer in attack in 2021 and, after the similarities were made clear in a riveting climax to the Six Nations that saw Tuilagi step off the bench for the final 21 minutes, Lawrence paid tribute to a unique teammate.
“Manu’s been class,” Lawrence said. “You ask anyone in the squad, he’s one of the best people around.
“He was my hero growing up, he was someone I looked up to and tried to emulate my game around.
“The way he was playing at a young age in an England shirt was amazing. To keep going playing at this level is testament to him really. To have the pleasure to take the field with him on the amount of occasions I have now is special and a memory I will look back on.
“Who knows what is going to happen in the future, but it has been a pleasure playing with Manu. He’s a great bloke on and off the field.”
Lawrence missed the opening two rounds with a hip injury and the current Premiership player of the season has grown in influence since making his comeback in a dispiriting defeat by Scotland. Now 24 caps into his international career, he is proving that his marauding club form translates to the highest level.
“Test rugby is very different to Premiership rugby in a lot of aspects. You get fewer opportunities and have to be more decisive with them. That was one thing I was focussed on this Six Nations,” he said.
“Coming out of the injury, I didn’t want to use that as an excuse, I just wanted to get in there and offer my bit to the team. I’ve managed to progress my game to a level where I am confident I can keep pushing to see where I can take it.”
On the tournament overall, he added: “It was a massive step forward for us as a team. Throughout this tournament we’ve progressed nicely. We fell short and that’s definitely something we’ll keep working on, but it’s really exciting being part of this group.”
Danny Care will take stock before deciding on his international future after contributing to an encouraging Six Nations for England.
Care won his 101st cap as a replacement in Saturday’s agonising defeat by France in Lyon that saw a long-range penalty by Thomas Ramos seize victory for Les Bleus in the final minute.
The 37-year-old is now facing a crossroads as he nears the end of his Test career while yet to agree a new deal for next season with Harlequins.
“It’s 101 and still not out at the moment! I’m going to go home to assess and speak to the family. I’ve not made any big decisions yet,” Care said. “But I’ve loved being a part of this team. I genuinely have.
The past year yes, but particularly the past seven weeks in this Six Nations have been some of my favourite times in an England shirt.
“The result against Ireland was an unbelievable feeling, I thought we were going to do it again and maybe surpass it against France. The icing on the cake would have been another win but it wasn’t to be. But I’ve never been (more proud) to wear an England shirt.
“I owe Steve (Borthwick, head coach) and the coaching staff an awful lot for giving me another opportunity for doing what I love doing the best. I’ve had an amazing time and this team is going to go in one direction, I’m sure of it, whether I’m a part of that or not.”