Lawes is to miss the remaining two rounds of the Six Nations because of a calf strain sustained in Saturday's defeat by Wales, giving Ewels the chance to fight for his place in the second row.
Lawes is the most experienced forward available to Eddie Jones (right).
But the cheers quickly settled as referee Jerome Garces decided to go to his TMO, Marius Jonker, just to make sure
Lawes was onside.
Lawes left the squad's Portugal training camp on Friday to return home in order to receive specialist treatment on an injury that initially flared up before Northampton's defeat by Leicester on October 6.
Lawes is to leave the squad's training camp in the Algarve to receive specialist treatment in the UK, placing a question mark over his involvement in the first of four Quilter Internationals at Twickenham next Saturday.
Lawes has emerged as one of the great success stories of the Eddie Jones era, developing from a player who was in danger of failing to realise his potential into a versatile back five forward whose form demands selection.
The two head coaches want live practice against international opposition - and
Lawes reckons it will be a no-holds-barred session.
Second row is a hugely competitive area for the Lions, and
Lawes is pushing hard.
Lawes is charged with getting the tour back on the front foot this morning when he starts for the Lions against Super Rugby champions Hurricanes in the final midweek match.
Lawes (left) was a late withdrawal from Northampton's matches against Montpellier and Gloucester due to bruising on the joint and had effectively been ruled out of the series opener at Twickenham by his director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
STEPHEN MYLER scored 15 points as Northampton handed Saracens only their third loss of the season, 15-20, but it came at a cost as Courtney
Lawes suffered a leg injury.
COURTNEY
LAWES faces a race to be fit for England's Six Nations showdown with Wales.