BACKED TO THE FUTURE

'Lawes can still roar for Lions'

- Alex Spink

WORLD CUP winner Neil Back knows what it takes to come out of international retirement and play for the British & Irish Lions and says Courtney Lawes can repeat his feat.

Back, the oldest Test Lion of them all, ended his Red Rose career in March 2004, yet started the first Test for the Lions in New Zealand 15 months later.

Lawes hopes to emulate that achievement after revealing he will return to the Test arena if the Australia-bound Lions come calling in 2025.

Back said: "Courtney is one of England's greats. If he is invited and he feels fit, physically and mentally right for it, why not? "In 2005, I was fit and ready to go. I was in great shape. If Courtney is injury-free, I wouldn't have any concerns for him."