3. Courtney Lawes
Northampton Saints stalwart Courtney Lawes has been amongst the England captaincy discussion since 2021. The 34-year-old led Eddie Jones’ squad out for the first time in an Autumn International match against Tonga. Like George Ford, Lawes was side-lined throughout the 2023 Six Nations, after suffering a calf injury against La Rochelle back in January.
The back row forward made his long-awaited return to the Saints in April, to take on Saracens and in turn helped his side qualify for the Premiership play-offs. Lawes’ previous experience as England captain will be valued amongst England’s leadership group, as the marathon of a Rugby World Cup can impact a squad’s on-field focus.
Also, the recent untimely injury to Ben Curry calls for an additional confident voice amongst England’s locks and back-row. The Sale Sharks captain will miss the 2023 Premiership Final and subsequent Rugby World Cup, after suffering a crocodile-roll induced hamstring injury, in the play-off semi-final against Leicester Tigers.
Ben’s twin brother Tom Curry has previously captained England, yet this was in Lawes’ absence during the 2022 Six Nations. Lawes was then the preferred captain over Owen Farrell, in the tail end of the Eddie Jones era. The now Wallabies Head Coach selected Lawes as tour captain, for England’s successful 2022 Summer series win over Australia.
The three-time Six Nations winner is an excellent option for the captaincy, and will be looking for his first England cap under Steve Borthwick. Lawes’ X-Factor is his ability to excel in the locks or across the back-row, giving Borthwick plentiful options, if the upcoming Rugby World Cup campaign takes it’s toll with injuries.