England and Northampton Saints lock Courtney Lawes says a change in work ethic is responsible for his improvement at Test match level but admits there is still a lot to do if he is to earn a starting place in Eddie Jones’ side.
England play Argentina (11th), Australia (18th) and Samoa (25th) November at Twickenham in the end-of-year series, and Lawes is raring to go.
“The biggest thing for me has been being able to stay on the pitch,” he told England Rugby.
“My fitness is better and a lot of that is down to my work ethic in the gym and on the training field being way higher than in previous years.
“But I still have a lot to do to get into this team; we have a lot of good second-rows, and a lot of competition for places.”
England concluded a five-day training camp in Portugal on Friday, and Steve Borthwick’s forwards resume practice on Monday, where they will meet up with their counterparts from Wales for a set-piece session in Bath.
And Lawes, who toured New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions last summer, is quick to squash any mention of ‘egos’ or ‘rivalry’ getting in the way of a productive experience.
“We are all professionals and we will treat it as such,” he added.
“I know a few of the Wales boys from the tour to New Zealand, and they’re good lads. Hopefully we all get something out of the session we do together and it’ll make it worthwhile.”
Head coach Jones has drafted four uncapped men into his squad for the autumn internationals, as he continues experimenting with player options ahead the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Although the likes of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Nick Isiekwe have all featured in an England shirt before, the squad still has a fresh feel, and stalwarts of the squad like Lawes are complimentary of the new faces.
“Nick Isiekwe is a good player,” said the 58-cap lock.
“He has some similarities to Maro but is a bit different in terms of game understanding. He is very talented, very strong and powerful so if he can stay fit and keep improving he is going to be a very good player.”
In a landscape where the interchangeability between second row and back row is becoming more fluid, Lawes is happy to adapt his game accordingly, if needed.
“If you have the athleticism and you’re mobile enough to do that, like myself, Maro and even Joe (Launchbury), then why not,” he added.
"I can always rely on my defence, but offering myself more as a ball-carrier just enables me to have a good game no matter where the game goes."
As attention shifts toward Los Pumas in seven-days time, Lawes and co. are reminded not to allow a long term goal – in the World Cup – distract them from short term ones.
"We have a limited time in terms of international experience before the World Cup," he said.
"It is on its way and we need to make everything count, but we do that by just focusing on the next game, and that is Argentina."
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