Lawrence back at Stourbridge Saxons

Virtually every successful rugby team has a dominant pack of forwards and in 99 per cent of cases the cornerstone of this is a powerful tight head prop.

So it's no surprise that Stourbridge Saxons' director of rugby Neil Mitchell is delighted to see Andi Lawrence back at Stourton Park after his six-month sabbatical in France.

Lawrence made a big impression on National One during his first season with the Saxons after joining them from Bees at the start of the 2009/10 campaign.

At 6ft 4in and weighing in at more than 19 stone, Lawrence proved highly effective at close range, whether carrying the ball, or smashing opponents in the tackle.

Having made the conversion from back row forward to loose head prop at Bees, he quickly came to terms with the challenging scrummaging requirements of the technically-complex tight head position.

The prodigal's return to Stourton Park began with a man of the match display at Sedgley Park, and afterwards he expressed his delight at being back in English rugby, after a disappointing spell across the channel.

Lawrence said: "It was always one of my ambitions to play in France, as a front row forward it offered a real challenge.

"I played at St Claude, near Lyon, in Federal Two – effectively a level down from National One – so the rugby should have been good.

"But I found it hard to adapt, because the approach is so different. It was very feisty, with very little open rugby being played.

"The fly halves kick a lot, there is very little skill and every game involves a lot of fighting. It just wasn't productive for me, which is why I came back.

"One of the big attractions of returning to Stourbridge is the chance to work with forwards coach Tony Windo.

"I took up propping four years ago, and had some help from Matt Long at Bees, but I've already done one session with Tony at Worcester and it was really useful.

"Stourbridge are targeting a top six finish this year and I will be working hard to help us achieve this.

"I just want to play as well as I can, and hopefully then be part of the ambitious plans the club has to get to the Championship."