Lawes: Missed two games

Lawes was banned for two games after he was found guilty of kneeing Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma in the head during England's 13-9 opening win.

Lawes is now free to return to action against Scotland, although he faces stiff competition for a place in the side from Simon Shaw, Louis Deacon and Tom Palmer.

And 22-year-old admits training could be interesting in the build up to the crunch encounter at Eden Park.

"There was a very good game at the weekend (against Romania) and a lot of the boys played really well," he said.

"I think in training this week I have to do whatever I can to try and get back into the team.

"The next couple of days will tell when I find out the team."

Lawes, though, is just glad to be back in contention after being left frustrated at being cited for the first time in his career.

"I thought it was a bit harsh but what can you do? You just have to get on with it and take it on the chin and that's what I have done," Lawes said.

"It has never happened before. I didn't try and do anything malicious, I'm always physical but I don't aim to hurt people, that's just part of my game."

Lawes had the option to appeal the sentence but the Northampton second row decided against it in case he was handed a longer suspension.

"There was no point in risking it. If I miss out on Scotland then I might struggle to get back into the team for the quarter-finals," Lawes said.

"I have only been cited once in the five years I have been playing so it is pretty rare and I don't think it is going to happen again soon."