Steve Borthwick stopped talking and pressed play, because words would not cut it.
England’s review of Saturday’s agonising World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa was turning into a tribute to Courtney Lawes.
Rather than wax lyrical on a 14-year Test superstar who might have saved his best international performance for last, Borthwick let the tape tell the story.
Lawes had produced a highlights reel so lengthy that it might equal that of some players’ entire careers — and this was just from one match.
England were still smarting from the last-gasp 16-15 loss when reviewing the match early this week in training.
The impromptu video package in praise of Lawes’ gargantuan performance cut straight through the mood of despondency and frustration.
Here was a snapshot salute to a 105-cap stalwart who will surely go down as one of England’s best-ever players.
“As we debriefed last weekend’s game we have been using clips of Courtney, things done so well and things done exactly as we wanted,” said head coach Borthwick.
“He hunts down every loose ball, he chases down attackers and pulls them back in when it seems he has no right to. And yet Courtney has always managed it somehow.”
Straight after the Springboks loss, the Hackney-born hardman announced he would retire from Test rugby after the World Cup, bringing down the curtain on a glittering series of international exploits that started in 2009.
Lawes will not feature in Friday night’s third-place play-off against Argentina at the Stade de France. The Northampton stalwart smashed himself to a standstill against the Springboks.
When players and coaches talk of emptying the tank, Lawes’ final Test outing will now appear alongside the entry in the lexicon of sporting cliches.
“It’s an end of an era, but it’s been a real honour"
Lawes missed England’s entire autumn schedule last year with concussion concerns, then had to battle glute and calf injuries before clawing back to full fitness just in time for the World Cup.
Team-mate Ben Earl admitted this week that Lawes has been held together by tape — and grit — at this tournament.
Saracens star Earl has come of Test-match age at this World Cup, but now wants to emulate Lawes’ longevity and enduring international ability.
The No 8 revealed Lawes’ capacity to push himself beyond reasonable limits has set him apart from his peers.
“Courtney has probably never been 100 per cent this whole tournament,” said Earl. “But look at the way he trains and performs, it’s unbelievable. The pain and how much he has pushed his body, it’s a good marker for some of us when we maybe feel a bit sore.”
Lawes made his England debut on November 6, 2009, coming off the bench in an 18-9 Twickenham defeat by Australia — to partner one Steve Borthwick at lock.
The powerful Northampton back-five forward became England men’s cap number 1318 that day.
Across the course of his 105 England appearances, 135 more players have made their debuts. Henry Arundell turned seven the day after Lawes’ Red Rose bow.
That Lawes would share a World Cup with the now 20-year-old represents one more remarkable stat on a stunning career of quality and endurance.
Lawes did not set his mind seriously to rugby until he was 13, having turned his hand to football, cricket and basketball in his youngest years.
Northampton Old Scouts knew they had someone special on their hands though, and quickly started nudging Lawes in the right direction.
A rangy lock who had to grow into his frame, Lawes has continually added new strings to his bow. A natural lineout lock and destructive tackler, Lawes mastered too the breakdown’s darkest arts and the ability to turn over ball in a flash.
A fiend on the field but a friend to all off it, Lawes is also a considered, modest thinker.
“It’s an end of an era, but it’s been a real honour,” said Lawes.
“I’m proud of the journey I’ve been on. To be able to finish with this group, it’s something I’ll treasure forever.
“You do your best for the team, and that’s all I’ve tried to do.”
