Brian O’Driscoll backs ‘sensational’ Courtney Lawes for British & Irish Lions captaincy – ‘I wouldn’t rule it out’
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Published 08/06/2024 at 20:41 GMT+1
TNT Sports pundit Brian O’Driscoll believes Courtney Lawes would make a good British and Irish Lions captain for next year’s tour of Australia. The 35-year-old lock continues to impress and ended his Northampton Saints career by lifting the Gallagher Premiership title after a 25-21 victory over Bath at Twickenham. Lawes retired from international duty last year but could still represent the Lions.
‘What a way to go out’ – Lawes reacts after ‘special’ Northampton swansong
Brian O’Driscoll has backed Courtney Lawes as a potential British and Irish Lions captain for next year’s tour of Australia.
Lawes brought the curtain down on his near 20-year stay at Northampton Saints in style, helping his boyhood club to a first Gallagher Premiership title in a decade after a thrilling and tight 25-21 win over Bath at Twickenham.
The second-rower retired from international rugby at the end of last year’s World Cup but continues to shine on the biggest club stages at 35 and is now bound for French club CA Brive.
He has represented the Lions twice, first in the 2017 series against New Zealand before he started all three Tests when the best of the home nations took on South Africa in 2021, and O’Driscoll sees no reason why he cannot lead Andy Farrell's side in 2025.
“He’s been sensational since day one when he burst onto the scene and started cutting people in half,” TNT Sports pundit O’Driscoll said at Twickenham following Northampton’s victory. “Nothing has changed.
“He’s just delivered another huge performance. His team were not at their usual standards but they did enough.
“What’s really interesting, we think about a year’s time, the Lions question that’s being thrown around – is that guy still in the mix? Is he maybe a potential Lions captain?
“There isn’t anyone really putting their hand up. The way he speaks, the love his team-mates have of him, the way the English boys speak so glowingly of him, his performances are speaking for themselves, so I wouldn’t rule it out.
“He could find himself on that plane in a year’s time because if he’s still as fit as he’s been this year, he is going to torment any side, internationally or otherwise.”
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Highlights: Northampton claim Gallagher Premiership title after edging Bath in thriller
Lawes made his first appearance for Northampton in 2007 and admitted it was “huge” to raise the iconic trophy on his last outing in the green, black and gold.
His contribution this season has been immense. He scored five tries having touched down just seven times since 2007, while his work at the breakdown remains unrivalled.
More importantly than that, though, Lawes is a talisman. He stands at 6ft 7in, but his presence is even greater.
And such are the standards he sets, he admitted he was “livid” in the immediate aftermath of Northampton’s victory after Saints nearly let a 15-3 lead slip against a Bath side that played the majority of the match a man down.
If it was not for Alex Mitchell’s converted try in the 73rd minute, the outcome would likely have been different, but few would begrudge Lawes the fairytale send-off.
“I don’t think we could have played worse. But what a way to go out, I’m over the moon,” Lawes told TNT Sports.
“I couldn’t have asked for more, I think we’ve deserved it across the season.”
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‘Is that the one?’ – Hendy magic puts Mitchell in to score winning try for Northampton
Anything can happen in a final but few would have expected to see such an ineffective Saints attack, especially with a numerical advantage.
Asked why things did not quite click, Lawes added: “Sometimes, and I’ve been on both ends of it, when you receive a red card it actually galvanises you a wee bit. There’s nothing to lose, there’s no pressure on you, and then all of a sudden the pressure is piled onto the team with 15 and we really felt that today.
“We didn’t fire on all cylinders but we did enough to win and that’s what matters.
“They [Bath] were unbelievable. Finn Russell is an unbelievable player and they were great today and really put us under pressure. I’m just ecstatic.
“I owe a lot to the club, an awful lot. It’s my pleasure and privilege to go out and give my all out on the pitch.”
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