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Worcester boss defends Ollie Lawrence after Eddie Jones criticism

Ollie Lawrence and Eddie Jones (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

Worcester Warriors boss Jonathan Thomas has defended the attitude of England international Ollie Lawrence who was the target of personal criticism in Eddie Jones’s latest book.

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In his new book Leadership, Jones makes it clear he was not impressed with 22-year-old Lawrence in training with the national squad. He said: “He’s [Lawrence] still a kid, only 21, but the way that some of the media raves about him you would think he’s already assured of becoming one of the best players in the world. He might do that, one day, but his attitude was not hungry or disciplined enough.”

Lawrence, who won the last of his seven England caps against the USA in July, is set to return from injury for Worcester at home to Wasps on Saturday along with fellow internationals Duhan van der Merwe and Rory Sutherland and Thomas was keen to put the record straight.

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The Worcester director of rugby said: “All I can do is comment on the Ollie Lawrence I know in this environment and since I have been here he has been part of the England squad. I have seen someone who is passionate about playing for Worcester and has even played through injury and against Sale he had grade two tear in his calf and was knocking on my door saying he wants to play for the team.

“Ollie is a young man and life is all about growing from your experiences and I think going into England camps has been really good for him because it takes you to another level. Ollie comes back and leads by example and everything that doesn’t require talent like kick-chase has gone to another level because of that experience. I have also seen him mature as a person to the extent that we have put him in our leadership group because he wants to add value on and off the field.

“I see a young man who has got talent and all young men are not the finished article but we are glad to have him here.”

Thomas was joined in a 7am coach’s meeting by former Sale boss Steve Diamond who started this week as Worcester’s lead rugby consultant. Thomas, who saw his side grab a draw in the snow at Newcastle at the weekend, said: “Dimes can add real value and we are in a really good place.”

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3 Comments
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Dale 1066 days ago

Must admit, I also get the impression he doesn't want it enough. Not necessarily a bad thing (being 'just' a club player), but he does often talk about wanting to play for England, and to do that the commitment/sacrifice needs to be there. He's got the talent.

R
Rob 1069 days ago

Eddie Jones is a great coach, no question about it. But as he sees his role as the head coach and his idea that that role needs to entertain the public with controversial statements and mind games is toxic, he punches below the belt.

Statements like this about players can absolutely ruin their career chances (given Eddie's influence). Some things are not meant for the public and this guy has now been labelled.

If actions like Rassie's deserve penalties then surely defamation like this does also!

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Easy_Duzz-it 31 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The world never caught up the All Blacks just went backwards . After 2015 they had a plan to build the team around 2 players . Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett , Cane was hailed as the next Mccaw and Barrett the next carter . Unfortunately Cane sustained too many injures and Barrett despite being a great ball runner didn't have a high enough conversion rate or the game management skills to control the team and the game . Then to make matters worst , the selections were so bad year after year the forward pack became shockingly weak .

New Zealand had so much talent wasted betwen 2016 - 2023 . Laumape , elliot dixon , ben tamefuna , pita gus , ben lam , vaea fifita and so many other in form players that never got a look or the time to develop into great All Blacks .


Then you have the dual playmaker system that never worked , but they kept using it . why ? cause some men cant admit when they're wrong . thats the All Blacks between 2016-2023 . wrong coaches with the wrong vision , going in the wrong direction . now it appears the world caught up . but like I said the world never caught up . then you add the obvious flawed referee calls that happen to go against us more often then for us now . the worst of which that never gets called is when the opposition use rush defence but have players offside . this has been going for years , but who cares ? .


anyway its almost 10 and i need to get some shut eye .

Go the might All Blacks !!!!

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