Harlequins are eyeing a move to secure the services of England international Ollie Lawrence in a bid to fill the void left by Rugby World Cup winner Andre Esterhuizen’s impending departure this summer.
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Esterhuizen, the Springboks powerhouse who linked up with Quins in 2020, has been granted an early exit from his contract, paving the way for his return to South Africa for the 2024/25 season.
Dubbed ‘Andre the Giant,’ Esterhuizen leaves Quins with an impressive tally of over 82 appearances, having played a pivotal role in the club’s memorable run to clinch the Gallagher Premiership title in the 2020/21 campaign.
Meanwhile, Lawrence, initially recruited by Bath as a temporary injury cover, has been a sensation for the West Country outfit. His standout performances earned him the prestigious Gallagher Premiership player of the season award last May, further solidifying his status as a rising star in English rugby.
Despite encountering a setback in the form of a hip injury suffered during a Champions Cup clash against Toulouse in January, Lawrence’s return to action against Scotland was met with mixed reviews.
However, he bounced back emphatically, showcasing his prowess as England secured a resounding victory over Ireland at Twickenham just yesterday.
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Despite the triumph, there’s speculation that Borthwick might opt for three changes ahead of England’s Six Nations finale in Paris next weekend.
#1. George Ford
Telegraph 5/10: “Beautiful with ball in hand, wretched with the boot. Missing seven points felt crucial and kicking from hand was also not on the money.”
RUCK 6.5/10: “A frustrating day personally for Ford, yet he would be delighted to see his side turn the fortunes around in the second half. Had his drop gaol attempt charged down and missed the 30th min pen from the Ireland 10m line. Ford was offside along with Ollie Chessum at 38 minutes, as England worked tirelessly to clear their lines. Missed another conversion after Furbank’s try, as Owen Farrell watched on in the Twickenham stands.”
Rugby World 5/10: “Put some nice width on the ball, particularly with the miss passes to a rampaging Ellis Genge in midfield. However, he was guilty of missing a very kickable penalty attempt in the first half and also had a drop goal charged down. Mixed bag.”
Replacement: Marcus Smith
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