He is already on Northampton's books and a regular this season since joining the club after the demise of London Irish. Tom Pearson, capped by England last summer, made his name as a marauding openside flanker, powerful on the charge and strong over the ball, but he has been encouraged, by club and country, to consider giving the blindside a go.
Northampton have been working on his defence and the set-pieces, the lineout especially, to see whether he would fit into the position where Lawes has established himself as a dominating presence.
"I do not know what position I will be playing this season, next season or a few years' time," said the 24-year-old Pearson, who scored a hat-trick against Bayonne on Friday and is in the mix for England's Six Nations squad which will be announced this week.
"I have been doing a lot more lineout work and I have spoken to different coaches about moving to the blindside. I have the scope to put on a bit of weight and as I am one of the heaviest 7s in the league, it would probably mean me becoming a 6. I am not opposed to that and it is a long-term option.
"I have had chats here and there with (England head coach) Steve Borth wick since the World Cup around how I am getting on and what I am working on. He is keen for me to be good in both positions and it helps to be versatile. Blindside is something I would like to do in the coming years, but no one will take the shirt off Courtney."
Denne historien er fra January 14, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 14, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
