Bath’s Ollie Lawrence named Gallagher Premiership player of the year

By Sports Desk May 10, 2023

England centre Ollie Lawrence has been named Gallagher Premiership player of the year at the end of a season that saw him emerge from Worcester’s financial ruin to make an impact at Bath.

Lawrence found a new home at the Recreation Ground in October after the Warriors were placed into administration and he took the opportunity to revitalise a career that had been troubled by injury.

Not only did the 23-year-old help Bath qualify for the Heineken Champions Cup, his powerful running saw him recalled by England and he was a mainstay of their midfield during the Six Nations.

He beat fellow nominees Owen Farrell, Jasper Wiese and Robert du Preez to win an award that was decided by experts of the game and presented at Premiership Rugby’s awards dinner in central London.

Breakthrough player of the season went to London Irish’s Tom Pearson, the 23-year-old back row who is pressing hard for England selection.

Saracens’ Mark McCall took the director of rugby of the season award after guiding his team into the Premiership play-offs by finishing top of the table in the regular season.

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    Ireland captain Caelan Doris said the team made a clear step up in Friday's thrilling victory over Argentina, but he knows further improvements are needed for future games.

    Ireland edged out Argentina by a 22-19 scoreline in Dublin, bouncing back after suffering their first home defeat in more than three years versus New Zealand last week.

    The hosts made a flying start with two tries in the opening five minutes, though Argentina threatened to fight back by scoring all 10 points in a second half punctuated by penalties.

    The Pumas spent the closing minutes camped in Ireland's 22 but were unable to make the pressure count, and Doris' primary feeling at the full-time whistle was one of relief.

    "It went right down to the wire there. We were happy with how it started. There was a good feeling through the warm-up and that carried over to the start," he told TNT Sports.

    "I felt we were in a pretty good position at half-time and their quality showed in the second half.

    "It was back and forth and our discipline was probably a factor again. We got the result, which was the most pleasing thing after last week."

    Ireland were into double figures for penalties as early as the 54th minute and received two yellow cards, prompting Doris to demand greater discipline in their remaining Autumn internationals versus Fiji and Australia.  

    "We want a better performance. Discipline is one thing that needs to improve, but we are continuing to grow as a group," he said.

    "I think today was a bit of a step up from last week but we feel like there is definitely more in us.

    "A more complete performance is what we are asking for over the next couple of weeks, and we're going to need it."

  • 'It's always personal' – Kolisi says South Africa highly motivated for England clash 'It's always personal' – Kolisi says South Africa highly motivated for England clash

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    The Springboks are aiming to inflict a fifth straight defeat on Steve Borthwick's troubled hosts, who suffered a dramatic 42-37 defeat to Australia last week.

    England's most recent meeting with South Africa – in the semi-finals of last year's World Cup – was overshadowed by Tom Curry accusing Bongi Mbonambi of directing a racist slur towards him, an allegation the Springboks hooker denied.

    South Africa won that match 16-15 thanks to a late Handre Pollard penalty before beating New Zealand in the final, and Kolisi knows they now have a target on their backs.

    "It's always personal. That's just how we prepare ourselves for games," Kolisi said on Friday.

    "It's got to be personal. It's another man trying to run through you in-game, it doesn't get more personal than that. So every game for us is personal.

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    England have recalled full-back Freddie Steward for the match, after he lost his place to George Furbank during the Six Nations earlier this year.

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    Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet will return for England on Saturday, with Steve Borthwick making four changes against South Africa.

    England were unchanged for their narrow defeats against New Zealand and Australia, but the Leicester pair, who were not included in the squad for either of those matches, come straight in to replace George Furbank and Ben Spencer.

    Ollie Sleightholme scored his first international tries in the defeat to Australia and is rewarded with a maiden Test start in place of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, while Sam Underhill comes in for Tom Curry, with both players missing due to head injuries.

    England have lost each of their last four Test matches, their longest such run since losing five straight games in 2018.

    "We're excited to challenge ourselves against the world's top-ranked team and back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions," Borthwick said.

    "Test matches against South Africa are always thrilling contests, and I'm sure Saturday will be no exception."

    Meanwhile, South Africa have made 12 changes to their starting XV from their 32-15 win over Scotland on Sunday.

    Captain Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit return in the back row, while Cheslin Kobe is also named in the side.

    The world champions have got a more balanced look to their bench this time around though, with coach Rassie Erasmus opting not to name seven forwards among the replacements this time around.

    England squad in full:

    Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet, Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Chandler Cunningham-South, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl.

    Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford, Tom Roebuck.

    South Africa squad in full:

    Alphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Maine Libbok, Grant Williams, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Wilco Loux, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Jasper Wiese.

    Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am.

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