- Courtney Lawes, England’s vice-captain, is retiring from international rugby following England’s semi-final defeat in the Rugby World Cup.
- Lawes, a veteran with 105 international appearances, expressed his pride in representing England and his eagerness to spend more time with his family.
- Despite the semi-final loss, England aims to finish the tournament on a high note in the third-place match against Argentina.
In a bittersweet decision, England’s vice-captain and rugby stalwart, Courtney Lawes, has revealed his retirement from international duty following England’s heart-wrenching 16-15 loss to South Africa in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup. This announcement marks the end of an illustrious 15-year career that has seen Lawes don the English jersey with pride in four World Cups and two British and Irish Lions tours.
Lawes, at 34 years of age, has been an integral part of the English rugby landscape, amassing 105 international appearances during his remarkable journey. He shared his sentiments, saying, “I’ve said to the boys, anyone that’s asked. I think it’s time. I’ve done four World Cups, so I’m pretty happy with that.”
The decision comes in the wake of a captivating semi-final clash where England put up a brave fight against the defending champions, the Springboks, ultimately losing in the closing minutes of the match. However, there’s a silver lining for Lawes and his teammates as they prepare for the bronze-medal match against Argentina on Friday, which will serve as Lawes’ final appearance in the England jersey if he’s selected.
Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Lawes noted, “It’s a bit of an end of an era, but it’s been a real honor for me to represent England for so long. It flies by. I’m proud of the journey I’ve been on. It’s not always been the ups. Plenty of downs in there, but I’ve pushed through.”
Though not one to display his emotions readily, Lawes expressed the magnitude of the honor he has felt during his tenure. “I’m not an emotional person really, but it’s just been a huge honor for me. To be able to finish with this group, it’s something I’ll treasure forever.”
Lawes made his debut for England back in 2009 when the current head coach, Steve Borthwick, was the team captain. He played a significant role in the 2019 World Cup final, where South Africa narrowly defeated England. He also participated in the 2011 and 2015 tournaments and represented the British and Irish Lions in 2017 and 2021.
Looking ahead, Lawes believes that England has a promising future under Steve Borthwick’s guidance and remains determined to help his team secure a third-place finish. “We showed to everyone what it means to play for this team, for your country and the boys alongside you,” Lawes stated. “I think people can see now what a good coach he is – and where this team can really go. We want to finish on a high. It’s important for us to finish properly and send us all off on a good win.”
As Lawes prepares for his last appearance in the England jersey, the rugby community acknowledges his immense contributions. It wishes him the very best in his future endeavors, both on and off the field.
