Northampton Saints
News: Lawes Lays it on the Line for Saints
By COYSDC
February 16 2010
Northampton Saints will announce today that Courtney Lawes will be staying in the Black, Green and Gold of his home town club for the foreseeable future after signing a new contract with the Franklin's Gardens Team.
ANOTHER HOME GROWN TALENT STAYS AT SAINTS
The 20-year-old forward has had a meteoric rise since he burst into the Saints first team two years ago. After making three appearances in the team’s promotion campaign from National League One, Lawes – who is equally comfortable on the flank or in the second row – came to the attention of national rugby watchers with a man of the match performance against Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup in October 2009.
By the end of the season he was being selected in one matchday 22 after another and being tipped as one of England’s brightest prospects by many commentators.
After coming off the bench in the European Challenge Cup final, Lawes was a key member of the England Under-20 team that came second in the 2009 Junior World Championship, scoring two tries on the way to the final. He was the only member of that Under-20 group to be promoted to the Saxons squad in the summer, and following inclusion in the England Senior squad for the Autumn Internationals Lawes made his full international debut against Australia.
However it is with Northampton where Lawes made his name, and he had no thoughts about going anywhere else.
“I was always going to stay at the club,” he said. “It’s a good place to be at the moment in every way – the coaches are great, the lads are great and with how we’re playing at the moment.
“It is also always good to play for your hometown club in front of your own fans and hopefully I will be for a long time to come.”
Lawes also took time to contemplate his rise up the playing ranks.
“I do sometimes stop and think about how far I’ve come in a short time from schoolboy rugby to England,” he added. “I’ve come on so much. But I’m not dazzled by it. I keep a level head and am concentrating on playing good rugby for the Saints.”
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder is delighted that Lawes is remaining as a Saint.
“Courtney has developed very quickly into being a good rugby player,” he said. “But he is still very young and we believe that there is more improvement still to come, both physically and in how he plays the game. He has spent a lot of time with Dorian West on developing as a player and he still wants to continue learning.
“Courtney has also come up the ranks of the club and he is someone who other young players in the Northampton area can aspire to follow, through the Academy into the first team squad and then England.”
By the end of the season he was being selected in one matchday 22 after another and being tipped as one of England’s brightest prospects by many commentators.
After coming off the bench in the European Challenge Cup final, Lawes was a key member of the England Under-20 team that came second in the 2009 Junior World Championship, scoring two tries on the way to the final. He was the only member of that Under-20 group to be promoted to the Saxons squad in the summer, and following inclusion in the England Senior squad for the Autumn Internationals Lawes made his full international debut against Australia.
However it is with Northampton where Lawes made his name, and he had no thoughts about going anywhere else.
“I was always going to stay at the club,” he said. “It’s a good place to be at the moment in every way – the coaches are great, the lads are great and with how we’re playing at the moment.
“It is also always good to play for your hometown club in front of your own fans and hopefully I will be for a long time to come.”
Lawes also took time to contemplate his rise up the playing ranks.
“I do sometimes stop and think about how far I’ve come in a short time from schoolboy rugby to England,” he added. “I’ve come on so much. But I’m not dazzled by it. I keep a level head and am concentrating on playing good rugby for the Saints.”
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder is delighted that Lawes is remaining as a Saint.
“Courtney has developed very quickly into being a good rugby player,” he said. “But he is still very young and we believe that there is more improvement still to come, both physically and in how he plays the game. He has spent a lot of time with Dorian West on developing as a player and he still wants to continue learning.
“Courtney has also come up the ranks of the club and he is someone who other young players in the Northampton area can aspire to follow, through the Academy into the first team squad and then England.”
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Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 17/02/2010 06:07
ComeOnYouSaints.com
17/02/2010 06:07
17/02/2010 06:07
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Wahay! good on yer Courtney spiffing news!!
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Good news indeed.
I'm sure he had plenty of offers from other clubs, and am very glad that he has chosen to stay with us.
He's the one making all the headlines, but is only part of a good core of U25s who could be the basis of the Saints' side for the next decade, and the England side for not the next, but the following two RWCs.
While I'm still disappointed that Tiny has chosen to leave (it's a bit like your rather plain childhood sweetheart blossoming into a beautiful young woman and going off with the flash estate agent who lives down the road), I think it's far more important that we keep hold of the likes of Lawes, Clarke, Ashton and Myler.
I'm sure he had plenty of offers from other clubs, and am very glad that he has chosen to stay with us.
He's the one making all the headlines, but is only part of a good core of U25s who could be the basis of the Saints' side for the next decade, and the England side for not the next, but the following two RWCs.
While I'm still disappointed that Tiny has chosen to leave (it's a bit like your rather plain childhood sweetheart blossoming into a beautiful young woman and going off with the flash estate agent who lives down the road), I think it's far more important that we keep hold of the likes of Lawes, Clarke, Ashton and Myler.
Struggle to see what the fuss is all about - an average sort of player, limited experience playing for the Lions, wasnt born in Wales - probably suffering from 'fatigue' from six months ago, and shows no ability to pass off both hands... oops, so sorry am turning into Eif - must go and see the quck to get this sorted.. Brilliant news - now Jim, go and find him someone to play with.
Now that's worth being awake for at this time of the day... having just done a late shift the night before!!
Nice one Courtney.
Nice one Courtney.
Excellent news. Although I didn't know his contract was up for renewal - still, what you don't know, etc...
Quote:long arm says:
“I was always going to stay at the club,” he said. “It’s a good place to be at the moment in every way – the coaches are great, the lads are great and with how we’re playing at the moment.
absolutely delighted!
Come On You Saints
Shaddo get over it mate
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
broonie
17/02/2010 10:18
17/02/2010 10:18
that's good.let us hope that tigs' attentions have not emptied the cupboard for any other young players
news known some time and now released tends to make me nervous/cynical , so hopefully not a sign of less palatable news impending.
news known some time and now released tends to make me nervous/cynical , so hopefully not a sign of less palatable news impending.
I had heard from someone who is pretty close that he would be staying, and that he was offered a King's ransom by Glos.
Well done Courtney, the potential of being a legend in your home town is a good thing to aspire to. I don't think you will regret it.
Well done Courtney, the potential of being a legend in your home town is a good thing to aspire to. I don't think you will regret it.
Good news indeed. I just think it's a shame that the club doesn't develop any young players.
Saint til I die
Saint til I die
Great news.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
At this point can I just say a big thanks to Chris Wearmouth (barfly) who copies us in on these press releases which are usually embargoed until 6am and means David has to get up early to break the news. These releases only get sent out to a select few (Radio Northampton, Chron etc.) and we at COYSDC are extremely fortunate to have a Saints Communications Manager who is happy to work with us to share good news (it would never have happened under previous regimes).
However, there is a down side. The Eds received this particular press release sometime yesterday (Tues) afternoon. You have no idea how hard it was for me to keep this one quiet, so pleased I was with the news! But, of course I did.
So, thank you, Chris, it is really appreciated!
However, there is a down side. The Eds received this particular press release sometime yesterday (Tues) afternoon. You have no idea how hard it was for me to keep this one quiet, so pleased I was with the news! But, of course I did.
So, thank you, Chris, it is really appreciated!
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