LBND READY TO RUMBLE

...the ankle that was so sadly broken in the opening game of last summer's disastrous Lions tour - a game in which our esteemed skipper had been displaying the imperious form which made him one of the world's great back row players for the last decade.

He astounded many observers by returning from that appalling injury at the beginning of October, when he led the side to an emphatic Powergen Cup win over Cardiff Blues.. He then fought his way back into the England squad. His first contribution was to come off the bench, in the Six Nations game against Wales, and score a typical try, picking up from the base of a scrum and powering his way over (something which the then skipper, Martin Corry, had seemed incapable of doing). In truth, though, Lawrence never rediscovered his true form, and ended the season looking tired and disspirited.

It's not the first time that this Waspie warrior has had to fight his way back from longterm injury. In a playoff game against Bath, in 2001, he suffered a knee injury, which looked set to put him out of the Lions tour of Australia that summer. Amazingly, he overcame the odds to fly out with the rest of the party. Sadly, it was obvious from the moment he first set foot on the field, that things were not as they should be, and his tour ended before the first test. An operation followed, and he was out of action until the latter stages of the following domestic season. All Wasps fans know that the side struggled in his absence. We spent several months at the bottom of the table, and relegation hung over us, like the Sword of Damocles, for much of that distressing season. As soon as he returned, we put together a string of victories, and ended up coming close to Heineken Cup qualification. It should be pointed out that, during Lawrence's absence, a former Ireland coach joined the coaching staff, then became Director of Rugby!

This time, things are different. It's no longer the case that a Wasps side without Dallaglio is a Wasps side that will struggle. We're now blessed with a bevy of backrow talent. Daniel Leo is becoming increasingly influential - Messrs. Hart, Haskell and Rees are putting in a strong claim to become the first choice back row for the next few years. On top of that, Lawrence is now 34. Is it asking too much to expect him to become the talisman of yore? He freely admits that last season's form was very disappointing. What we don't know is how much of that was down to having a piece of rusting New Zealand metal in his leg, and how much was down to the sad reality that his powers were waning.

As you would expect from such a proud man, the talk has been positive, but without extravagant claims about what he expects to achieve. He'll let his performances on the field do most of the talking. It would be asking an enormous amount of a man of his years to reproduce the form of the past - but, if anyone can, Lawrence can. One thing is certain - his presence will galvanise the rest of the squad, particularly his backrow colleagues/rivals. He'll surely remain the influential figure he's always been - but there is the nagging suspicion that that influence will not be as much in evidence out on the battleground.

A favourite pantomime villain at grounds around the country, he's a man who's already left an indelible mark on the club (and the game) he's served with such distinction for so many years. If this is to be his Last Hurrah, let's get right behind him. We shall not see his like again.

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