England ‘have to support devastated Lawrence’

Fly-half Fin Smith says England have to get around a “devastated” Ollie Lawrence after he suffered a season-threatening Achilles injury against Italy on Sunday.

The centre was carried off during the early stages of England’s Six Nations win over the Azzurri at Allianz Stadium, which could rule him out of Bath’s Premiership title challenge and selection for this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

The 25-year-old will miss England’s final game of the Six Nations against Wales in Cardiff next Saturday and is set to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.

Northampton’s Smith, who progressed through the Worcester Warriors academy with Lawrence, said the impact of his injury had been heartbreaking for the rest of the squad.

“Obviously, you play in a game and you want to win, but I think there is a sort of deeper level to it”, said Smith.

Smith added: “We are all absolutely devastated for him. I’ve got everything crossed that the scans say it is not too bad, but it is not looking brilliant. He is absolutely devastated.

” He has been a massive part of Bath and pushing them forward, and a massive part of this England team. I don’t think he has played below a seven or eight out of 10 ever for either his club or his country.

“We have just got to get around him. I think as team-mates, we’ve got to be good friends to him now and look out for him because it is going to be a tough time for him”.

England head coach Steve Borthwick, meanwhile, said Lawrence would have consultations with the “very best people” and receive the “very best care”.

Despite losing Lawrence, who has impressed in the Six Nations and cemented his position in England’s midfield, Borthwick’s side scored seven tries to claim a 47-24 bonus-point victory.