After Brive’s tense victory over Provence maintained their quest for promotion to the Top 14, the post-match talk turned to how they might commemorate a Lions call-up for their iconic import, Courtney Lawes.
Standing in front of the tunnel at Stade Amedee-Domenech, club president Thierry Blandinieres and the Englishman he succeeded, Simon Gillham, were full of enthusiasm.
Two suggestions from their Mail Sport visitor were well received; stocking Lions merchandise in the smart club shop or wearing red – instead of the usual black and white – as a one-off tribute, for the first game next season.
‘We could wear red here against Toulouse,’ said Blandinieres, as he envisaged Brive being back among the elite of French rugby, and Lawes being honoured after touring Australia with the Lions. ‘We would be the first club from the French second division to have a Lion,’ added Gillham.
The former England captain had already earned a presidential endorsement, having been watched in action against Provence by Francois Hollande – who had a term in high office at the Elysee Palace between 2012 and 2017, before Emmanuel Macron seized power.
The politician who made his name in the Correze region is a passionate follower of Brive and after sitting alongside him on Friday night, Gillham said: ‘Monsieur Hollande is definitely a fan of Courtney Lawes!’
He may not be playing international rugby but Courtney Lawes oozes international pedigree
For all the back-row riches at present in British and Irish rugby, there aren’t many like him
Whether Andy Farrell is such a fan of Lawes that he will pick him will be known on May 8
Whether Andy Farrell is such a fan of Lawes that he will pick him for one last Lions mission will be known on May 8. What is clear is that, at 36, the veteran back-rower and Test centurion is still a formidable player and leader. He may not be playing international rugby now, or even top-tier club rugby, but Lawes still oozes international pedigree.
He has been magnificent all season, to galvanise Brive’s promotion push, and he was a regal figure in the 24-17 win over their rivals from the south. What stood out in the midst of a frenetic encounter was the composure and nous Lawes brings to proceedings. He has seen it and done it all, and he brought order to the chaos all around him.
There were crucial line-out takes, a stack of clever carries to showcase his footwork and astute running lines, slick handling and the usual menacing presence at rucks. He won a vital breakdown penalty in the 13th minute when Provence were on the charge. Three minutes later, he stole a line-out from the visitors and paved the way for a penalty which allowed Brive to take the lead.
One thunderous tackle early in the second half halted a spell of Provence pressure. Just after the hour, his challenge at another line-out earned Brive a free-kick and with 13 minutes to go, his swerving run into the opposition 22 ignited an attack which nearly yielded a try. Soon after, it was Lawes’ latest aerial take and maul presence which brought the decisive strike to seal the win.
When Farrell announced his Lions assistant coaches last month, John Dalziel – the Scot who will oversee the forwards – said of Lawes: ‘His games will get watched and his name is on the list.’ If they are watching, then he should be a prime contender. For all the back-row riches at present in British and Irish rugby, there aren’t many like him.
Lawes had already declared his ambition to make the cut and his belief that he could even force his way into the Test XV. Speaking to Mail Sport on Friday, he was torn between realism and hope, saying: ‘I’m not really expecting to be involved with the Lions, but I’ll keep the dates available just in case something drastic happens!
‘I kind of think, “Do I deserve to go, with the form of the boys who have been playing international rugby and top-flight rugby?”. But it’s about whether you can add to the team and I 100 per cent can add to the team in terms of experience and being a different kind of back row.
‘I’m probably the only out-and-out six. They (home nations) are very openside-heavy and even our No 8s are similar to opensides. I am probably the most unique back row and I can play second row, plus I’ve got experience and leadership so I can add to the team in that aspect.
Lawes has been magnificent all season, galvanising Brive’s promotion push
If Farrell’s staff are watching, then Lawes should be a prime contender to be selected
Farrell should pick Lawes once Brive have completed their play-off campaign
‘I’m certainly not hanging my hat on it and, ultimately, I don’t think I’ll go, but you never know!’
Even the Lions, for all their abundant class, will have use for his reliability, experience and versatility. It is true that they are better stocked at openside than at blindside.
Farrell should pick Lawes, who will be fully available, once Brive have completed their play-off campaign. He is fit and firing, he has presence, universal respect, popularity and know-how. He can be an asset again.
At Brive, they should clear some space in the club shop and start planning a commemorative colour change, just in case.
The Last Word
Johnny Sexton is a magnificent addition to the Lions coaching set-up, given his title-winning insight and attacking strategy – but his views about No 10 selection should not guide Andy Farrell’s thinking one iota.
The Irish icon has nailed his colours to the mast in support of Owen Farrell and at the expense of Finn Russell, which is not entirely helpful in fostering a spirit of unity among the playmakers, to say the least.
Having been omitted from the initial cast of assistants announced by the head coach – and given his outspoken views – Sexton should be limited to a mentoring role with whichever fly-halves are chosen, rather than having a say in that debate. If Russell were to be overlooked for the tour, it would be a travesty. Frankly, he should still be considered the front-runner to wear No 10 in the Test series.
Meanwhile, Marcus Smith’s loss of form appears increasingly fatal for his chances, whereas George Ford boosted his faint hopes with another masterclass display for Sale in their bonus-point win over Harlequins. If another veteran conductor is sought for the Australia tour, Ford deserves to be considered ahead of Farrell Jnr.
