Ollie Lawrence has taken a major step towards becoming a globally recognised sports star by joining the elite rugby roster in Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports International Agency.
The Bath centre, set to be named on Tuesday in Steve Borthwick’s England squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship, is the latest addition to a stable headlined by Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s two-time World Cup-winning captain.
He becomes the fourth England player to join Roc after Marcus Smith, Ellis Genge and Maro Itoje – though Itoje has since moved to rival agency Ten Toes.
Next chapter
Lawrence said: “I’m incredibly proud to partner with Roc Nation Sports International. Their team’s expertise and commitment to their athletes aligns perfectly with my goals. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career.”
Lawrence has had an eventful week, denying cheating or diving to get England team-mate Alex Mitchell sin-binned during Bath‘s defeat by Northampton a week ago.
He responded on Sunday with a stellar display against Clermont at the Rec which earned him selection to Planet Rugby’s Investec Champions Cup Team of the Week.
That performance continues a meteoric rise since his career was plunged into doubt little more than two years ago by Worcester Warriors going bust and his contract being liquidated.
He was picked up by Bath and by the end of that same campaign had been named Gallagher Premiership Player of the Season and become a regular in the England midfield.
The 25-year old has gone on to win 31 caps and play a major role both in Bath reaching last year’s Premiership final and setting the pace at the top of this season’s competition.
Paul Adesoye, Head of Rugby at RNSI, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Ollie. His talent, passion and dedication to the sport makes him a perfect fit for our organisation.
“We look forward to working with him and offering a comprehensive array of services to maximise his potential and elevate his career both on and off the field.”
Aside from Smith and Genge, the star-studded Roc stable features All Blacks great Ardie Savea, World Cup winners Cheslin Kolbe and ‘Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira, as well as fellow Springboks Jordan Hendrikse and Aphelele Fassi.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/england-star-teams-up-with-siya-kolisi-and-jay-z-to-become-roc-nations-newest-recruit
