Lawes: 2 week ban




"IS IT COS I IS ENGLISH?"

 

Two hopes

It would appear that England now have two hopes of winning the Six Nations this year...

...Bob Hope and No Hope.

Following the autumn series, and despite what effectively were two stuffings by New Zealand and South Africa, I thought I detected sufficient promise in the overall England performances to be quietly confident that 2011 might be England's year. Unfortunately, however, injuries to Tom Croft and Courtney Lawes have holed such confidence below the waterline.

Martin Johnson's mission, should he choose to accept it, is to find replacement forwards with the same mix of athleticism and dynamism that Croft and Lawes bring to the party. Sadly, as today's announcement of the England Six Nations squad amply demonstrates, I fear that this will prove to be Mission Impossible.

Chip off the old block

Martin Johnson on Courtney Lawes:

"Someone sent me a text saying he's a bit like I used to be, except more athletic, funnier and better looking..."