In a strategic reshuffle ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash against Italy at Twickenham, England has introduced a new midfield partnership, featuring Northampton Saints’ Fraser Dingwall and Bath’s Ollie Lawrence. This decision sees the experienced Henry Slade dropped from the starting lineup. The duo will face off against the established Italian pairing of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio “Nacho” Brex. As the saying goes, while forwards dictate the outcome of rugby matches, it is the backs who determine the scoreline, making these four players pivotal to the game’s result.
Both Lawrence and Dingwall are 25 years old and have a history of playing together, having trained for England’s under-20s team in 2019. Interestingly, they have never had the opportunity to start a match together, which adds an intriguing layer to their upcoming performance.
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“We’ve grown up around the scene together,” Dingwall shared, reflecting on their journey. He is a compelling figure; a versatile centre who has yet to fully realize his potential on the international stage. England’s head coach Steve Borthwick described Dingwall as a “glue player” in the backs. He has been a part of England’s senior squad since 2020, having previously captained Scotland’s under-16s and England’s under-20s teams. Despite his experience, he has only made two senior appearances, during which he played in a 10-12-13 formation alongside George Ford and Slade in last year’s Six Nations against Italy and Wales.
After captaining England A in their victory over an Australia XV last November, Dingwall now steps into a crucial defensive role, expected to operate primarily in the No 13 channel, succeeding Slade. Reflecting on his unique style, Dingwall stated, “I wouldn’t replicate what Manu [Tuilagi] does, I wouldn’t replicate what Sladey does, I wouldn’t replicate what Ollie [Lawrence] does, and so on. It’s more about creating a balance in the midfield as a whole, where the backline can complement each other.” He considers his ability to communicate effectively and elevate the performance of his teammates as his greatest asset, rather than relying solely on speed or power.
Despite weighing in at 14st 7lbs, Dingwall is not the largest No 12 on the field. He noted that during the summer of 2023, his teammates at Northampton bulked up, leading him to feel “a bit heavier running” and more aware of physical contacts. Highlights of his gameplay often showcase his precise passing and agile sidestep. However, if England continues to favor a kicking strategy, as seen in their narrow 16-15 victory over Scotland, these skills might only emerge in chaotic situations following aerial contests.
Dingwall’s contributions in previous matches were limited, having carried the ball just five times for a total gain of seven meters in his two appearances this year, with 12 passes and no offloads. Yet, he expressed a desire to enhance Lawrence’s opportunities, stating, “I want to give him touches in space, to put him into areas where he excels.” This proactive approach could be a game-changer, especially if England opts to maintain possession more consistently, allowing Dingwall to collaborate with his fly-half club mate Fin Smith to engage Lawrence and the outside backs effectively. Last year, Dingwall set up a try for Elliot Daly against Wales and scored one himself, both executed skillfully in the left corner.
On the Italian side, Menoncello and Brex share a strong understanding, having played regularly together at their club, Benetton Treviso, which has recently advanced to the last 16 of the Champions Cup while currently sitting 13th out of 16 in the URC. Interestingly, their club roles are reversed compared to their national team positions, with Brex wearing No 13 and Menoncello No 12 for Italy, and vice-versa for Benetton.
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Dingwall praised the Italian duo, noting, “I like the way they interchange and bring out each other’s strengths. It’s largely focused around those two, bringing their backline into the game. If you can get a good wrestle on them, then you can limit how their whole team functions, especially their backline.” Menoncello, who played on the wing during Italy’s last visit to Twickenham—a 31-14 defeat in 2023—boasts the speed typical of a winger, while Brex is known for his direct and physical style.
England must remain vigilant, particularly after witnessing how Italy scored a first-phase try during their last match against France, which ended in a staggering 73-24 defeat. In that moment, Brex and fly-half Paolo Garbisi executed a quick tap from a scrum, allowing Menoncello to burst through a gap.
Looking ahead, Dingwall has promised a more dynamic offensive strategy for England. He acknowledged, “At times, we have looked at games in different ways, to find ways to win, and that’s why you might not have seen as much attacking rugby as normal. I definitely feel like for this weekend, and moving forward, there’s more emphasis on taking opportunities and moving the ball to the space, wherever that might be, at the right time. That could be kicking in behind, but that also could be on the edge.”
Interestingly, Dingwall’s choice of song for celebratory occasions is Islands in the Stream. As England fans anticipate the impact of this revamped midfield, they hope it will leave Italy’s dangerous players floundering without direction.
