England have struggled to find a settled centre partnership for a number of years now, but this summer gives Steve Borthwick the opportunity to do just that.
In the past year, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman have started Tests in either the 12 or 13 shirt, while Elliot Daly and even Ben Earl have been given a shot in the centres following various reshuffles; but there is a very good crop of players now pushing through to feature in Borthwick’s squad for the summer, and given a few of the aforementioned players will likely be on the British and Irish Lions tour this summer this feels like a great chance to blood in some new options.
But, how does the depth chart look in midfield right now? Well, here is our take on the options at both 12 and 13 heading into England’s summer tour of the Americas.
Inside centre
Test starter: Fraser Dingwall
On tour: Seb Atkinson
Outside bets: Will Butt, Joe Woodward, Will Rigg, Ben Waghorn
12 has been a real problem area for some time, with a lack of genuine options pushing through in the past or a reliance on the likes of Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi, but if anything, it’s now becoming one of England’s most loaded positions.
It’s still a possibility that Fraser Dingwall tours with the Lions this summer, but should he miss out on selection, he will more than likely retain his starting shirt for England. The Northampton man played a crucial role in England’s attacking transformation in the latter stages of the Six Nations this year with his playmaking skills and ability to slot in at first receiver when needed.
Given that he has also captained both Northampton and England A this season, he will likely be one of the more senior men in the group this summer, despite only having four caps to his name, with Borthwick likely to bring in a decent crop of new faces.
The group underneath him are all mighty fine options at 12, but Seb Atkinson is probably the form one of the lot. Aside from his hat-trick against Bristol, the Gloucester ace has just improved with every passing week and has become a key figure in their new attacking identity.
Not only does he hit like a raging bull, but he has some deft hands to go alongside that as well, which is a skill the very best Test 12s are adding to their game.
Will Butt has also been very impressive for both Bath and England A this season, and would add some serious firepower to the attack with his aggressive carrying. Joe Woodward, Will Rigg and Ben Waghorn are all still fairly raw, but there is clearly talent there, and all three men would come on massively if they were to tour this summer.
Outside centre
Test starter: Oscar Beard
On tour: Max Ojomoh, Henry Slade
Outside bets: Tom Litchfield, Angus Hall
13 is an even tougher selection call, considering the main options are all either injured or likely Lions tourists this summer, but Oscar Beard is probably the front-runner right now.
The Quins ace was involved with the wider England squad throughout the Six Nations and was potentially unlucky to miss out on a Test debut too. He is such an elusive, yet powerful carrier and has developed a brilliant ability to create something from nothing, but he also backs it up with some strong defence too.
Max Ojomoh will be fighting him all the way for that shirt, though, with the Bath man almost certain to tour and likely win his maiden Test cap too.
Given he can play both centre positions extremely well, he adds a lot of versatility to the squad and could be the perfect option on a 6:2 bench or even in the starting side. He is also BANG in form right now.
Exeter’s Henry Slade is a curious case, considering he was dramatically dropped from the England 23 during the Six Nations, but he will also likely be involved in the touring party.
When at his best, Slade is a really classy operator, and if he is put back into his preferred spot of 13, he can hit those heights again. He will also be a key leader within this young group.
Underneath them, Tom Litchfield and even U20s starlet Angus Hall could be outside bets to be included. The pair have shown great potential recently and, again would only improve with time around this squad.
Planet Rugby’s starting England centres for the summer tour: 12 Fraser Dingwall, 13 Oscar Beard
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ranked-englands-centres-depth-chart-as-once-troubled-area-creates-a-selection-headache-for-steve-borthwick
