England's midfield: A Puzzle with Promising Pieces
For years, the English rugby midfield has been a frustrating puzzle. The lack of top-tier inside centers and inconsistent selections have left the team without the solid partnerships that are the backbone of any successful international side.
But, things are looking up! After a year of impressive wins, including 11 consecutive victories, England's head coach, Steve Borthwick, has more options than ever before as they head into the Six Nations Championship.
Over the past six months, Borthwick has been experimenting with a few players at the No. 12 position: Fraser Dingwall, Max Ojomoh, and Seb Atkinson. They've all shown glimpses of brilliance early in their international careers. At outside center, he has a trio of talented and experienced players: Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, and Henry Slade.
The Big Question: Which combination will Borthwick choose to lead England to Six Nations glory for the first time in six years?
Dingwall and Lawrence: The Early Favorites?
The duo of Dingwall and Lawrence shone brightly during England's impressive 33-19 victory over New Zealand in November. They seemed to have found the elusive chemistry that England's midfield has been missing. They also played together the week before against Fiji.
Borthwick now recognizes that Lawrence, at 26 years old, is best suited for the No. 13 position. Dingwall, also 26, might not be the flashiest player, but his smarts, solidity, and ability to bring out the best in others are exactly what's needed in the intensity of international rugby.
In the match against the All Blacks, Lawrence scored a try and set up Dingwall for another, showcasing the understanding they first developed playing together for England Under-20. As Dingwall put it, "Centre partnerships always take a bit of time to develop and you work out how you can complement each other."
Ojomoh: The Rising Star?
Just as Dingwall and Lawrence seemed to have cemented their place, injuries shuffled the deck. Lawrence was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Dingwall missed the Argentina game due to a side strain.
This opened the door for Ojomoh to step up. At 25 years old, he seized the opportunity, scoring a try and assisting on two others in England's 27-23 victory. He demonstrated a wide range of skills, running hard, handling well, and delivering a beautiful cross-kick. He looked like the natural No. 12 England had been searching for. He has also played at fly-half for Bath.
But here's where it gets controversial... Inside center play demands more than just attacking flair; defensive solidity and organizational skills are crucial. Atkinson, 23, is another player to watch, having impressed on the summer tour. But Ojomoh has made a strong case for himself, making him Dingwall's main competition for the No. 12 jersey.
The Freeman Experiment
Another interesting development is the versatility of Tommy Freeman. The 24-year-old has been moved from his usual wing position to No. 13. He scored in every Six Nations match last year and is developing his skills.
Outside center is a challenging position to defend, and Freeman is still learning the ropes. His director of rugby, Phil Dowson, is pleased with his progress, saying, "From an attack point of view, he's just a natural footballer, you want to get his hands on the ball."
Building Understanding: The Key to Success
Choosing the right center pairing is a complex decision, and Borthwick needs to consider the upcoming World Cup. He needs to give his chosen players time to develop their understanding.
And this is the part most people miss... None of the inside centers have much experience in an England shirt. They all need time to develop at the international level.
Final Thoughts
Do Ojomoh's all-around abilities give the midfield a higher ceiling? Or is Dingwall better at knitting the team together in the long run? Borthwick has some tough choices, but he's in a better position than ever before.
What do you think? Which center pairing should Borthwick choose? Do you agree with the potential pairings mentioned, or do you have a different perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
