Courtney Lawes announces international retirement after Rugby World Cup heartbreak with England
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Updated 23/10/2023 at 08:12 GMT
Courtney Lawes made his debut in 2009 and has gone on to become one of only five players to earn more than 100 caps for England. As well as playing at four World Cups, he has also won the Six Nations on three occasions and been on two tours with the British and Irish Lions. Lawes is currently vice-captain for England and led England at the start of the World Cup with Owen Farrell banned.
Highlights as South Africa beat England in semi-finals of Rugby World Cup
England vice-captain Courtney Lawes will retire from international duty at the end of the Rugby World Cup, as he turns his focus to family life.
The flanker - who plays his club rugby for Northampton - has been capped 105 times for his country and is one of only five players to have reached three figures.
His most recent outing ended in disappointment, with England beaten 16-15 by South Africa in a tense semi-final in Paris.
It means Lawes is likely to make his final appearance in the bronze medal match against Argentina on October 27.
Lawes made his decision known shortly after the full-time whistle against South Africa, 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. This was my last World Cup. The kids are at that age where they need their dad around. It will be good to be with them more, to provide some well-needed structure to the mob,” said the father-of-four.
Lawes made his England debut in an Autumn International defeat against Australia at Twickenham in 2009 - when current head coach Steve Borthwick was captaining the side.
The 34-year-old is a three-time Six Nations winner and was part of the 2016 team, who won a Grand Slam for the first time in a decade.
Reflecting on his career, Lawes said: “It’s a bit of an end of an era, but it’s been a real honour 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.”
Despite a poor run of form leading into this year’s World Cup, England performed above expectations to come within minutes of reaching back-to-back finals at the tournament.
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Courtney Lawes makes his England debut v Australia in 2009
Image credit: Getty Images
Lawes says he has loved playing with - and at times leading - the current squad.
“I’m not an emotional person really, but it’s just been a huge honour for me, to be honest. To be able to finish with this group, it’s something I’ll treasure forever. I think, as hard as it is being away from your family and stuff like that, you almost have another family. You really feel like that, especially when you’re away in camps like World Cup camps.
“It’s five months, staying with your brothers. I’ll definitely miss the boys, the banter and all the stuff we get up to when we’re not training. I’ll miss the hard work as well. And I’ll definitely miss pulling the jersey on and giving it everything,” Lawes said.
With one more game in France to come, Lawes wants to leave the team on a high, as they prepare to regroup under Borthwick.
"We showed to everyone what it means to play for this team. Play for your country and the boys alongside you,” Lawes said.
"I think people can see now what a good coach he [Borthwick] is - and where this team can really go.
"It's important for us to finish properly and send us all off on a good win."
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