With the forth game of the British and Irish Lions tour taking place in Dunedin tomorrow morning, Courtney Lawes will earn his second Lions cap as he takes to the field to take on the Highlanders.
“I can’t wait to be honest,” Lawes commented to talkSPORT ahead of facing the Higlanders tomorrow.
“It’ll be good to play with a dry ball as well after my last game. We’ll sharpen up with the team run and then we’ll be ready to go.”
Though not involved in Saturday’s win over the Crusaders, Lawes said that the victory has buoyed the whole squad but that they are focussed on keeping the momentum up as they head to Dunedin on a short turnaround.
“It was a great win and you enjoy your wins but we’ve got another game a couple of days later so we’ve got to make sure we’re right for that and ready to keep the ball rolling, keep the momentum going.
“I’m just really enjoying the boys’ company. There’s some really great guys here and we’re all sticking together well which is a really good thing for us. I’m very much enjoying playing lots of rugby to be honest. I like playing rather than getting flogged in training so I’m enjoying it.”
Commenting on the competition for the second row places as the first Test looms, Lawes says that while starting the Test is his main goal, he’s enjoying learning all he can while on tour.
“There’s plenty of talent across the board and especially in the second row but that is what it is. All I can do is concentrate on my game and of course support the boys as much as I can as well.
“Obviously that’s the end goal but I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing throughout the season and especially the last month or so. I feel like I’m getting to a new kind of level in my potential and hopefully I can carry that on and keep improving.
“I think this is the longest I’ve stayed fit in my entire career and I’m reaping the benefits of it. I feel really comfortable playing, I’m really enjoying my rugby at the minute and like I said I can’t wait to get out there.”
Lawes, however, is not going to let the grandeur of the occasion overwhelm him and is keen to enjoy the experience rather than put pressure on himself to earn caps.
“It’s great but I feel like I need to enjoy the honour of the Lions call rather than let the pressure get to me.
“So I’m going to make sure that I enjoy the company with the boys, the coaching experience that I’m getting here and of course going out there and playing some rugby.”
Lawes and the Lions will face the Highlanders tomorrow morning (kick-off 8.35am), the match will be shown live on Sky Sports.
