Lawes hungry for silverware

The giant lock was injured at the start of the Championship, but then found himself sitting out the final two games against Scotland and Ireland when he was fit again.

But his injury break, and selection frustration, has only added to his appetite and he is raring to go at Milton Keynes on Sunday when the only unbeaten team from the Pool stages host Ulster at stadium:mk.

"I was disappointed at not getting picked for the last two England games. Now I want to use the rest of the season with Saints to get back into the squad," admitted Lawes.

"I want to play well for Saints, win some silverware and then start thinking about what might happen about the World Cup.

"Our form over the last couple of weeks has been good and that has given us a lot of confidence. The England players came back on a high after the Six Nations and we have a full side available and everyone is firing at the moment."

Lawes was in the Saints side that lost at the quarter-final stage last season in Limerick against a vastly experienced Munster side. If that was a masterclass in handling pressure from the home side, it was a lesson that Lawes believes has done his side a power of good.

"We are a more mature side as a result of that experience in Limerick last season. We have been here before and we know what to do to win," added Lawes.

"I think we are still improving as a team and our form in the past few weeks shows what we are capable of."