The Biggar they are the harder they fall, promises Courtney Lawes as England tough man warns his Northampton team-mate to expect a rattling reception in Wales clash
- Lawes has his sights set on Northampton team-mate Biggar on Saturday
- The England forward has a knack of smashing unsuspecting half-backs
- The pair will go head-to-head when England take on Wales in Cardiff
England ‘hard man’ Courtney Lawes has his sights set on Northampton team-mate Dan Biggar — after the Saints marked Lawes’ birthday with a video compilation of his biggest hits.
Lawes turned 32 on Tuesday and his club paid tribute by showcasing his knack of smashing unsuspecting half-backs.
At least Biggar will know what’s coming. Plus, the Wales fly-half has proved he can absorb the punishment better than most playmakers.
England ‘hard man’ Courtney Lawes has his sights set on Northampton team-mate Dan Biggar
‘I caught Biggs the last time we played,’ said Lawes, who is set to continue at blindside flanker in the England pack. ‘He said he felt it, so I was chuffed about that!
‘He is a class player so if I can get pressure on him, I certainly will. He’s pretty tough, especially for a 10. He’s not the biggest guy but he is so competitive. I don’t think it’ll rattle him too much, but I’ll try!’
Switching from lock into the back row — as he has done several times in his career — has not fazed Lawes.
The 32-year-old England forward has a knack of smashing unsuspecting half-backs
His objectives remain the same. ‘Regardless of where I am playing, I generally try to make plenty of good hits and then carry as much as I can,’ he said. ‘My game is based on physicality and bringing that edge to the team.’
England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot has overseen South African packs, so he knows a thing or two about physicality up front, which made his comments about Lawes all the more complimentary.
‘Having coached against him, he was always one of the special ones that you took careful notice of when you were preparing to play England,’ he said.
‘Courtney is one of those players that is the glue in a pack. That’s what a blindside does; he gets you momentum and stops their momentum around the fringes.
Biggar will know what’s coming and he has also shown that he can absorb the punishment
‘He’s the hard man. Courtney is a leader. He brings solidity and edge to the pack.’ At a time when players are being sent off in droves amid a crackdown on contact with the head, England have been working hard to ensure they are tough but legal in defence and the way they contest the breakdown.
‘We’ve spoken about making sure you wrap your arms,’ said Lawes. ‘It’s something we’re thinking about because we don’t want to be giving away penalties and certainly not yellows and reds.’
Proudfoot added: ‘How you enter the breakdown is crucial. We’ve done a lot more reaction and body position work. Players’ safety is paramount. That is the message World Rugby are driving and rightly so.’