Fraser Dingwall will make his first start for England in over a year as he is named in the side’s line-up to face Italy this weekend, with Northampton Saints teammates Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman also starting the Guinness Six Nations clash.
The 25-year-old last featured for England in the 2024 Six Nations – scoring the winning try against Wales in that match – and is set to earn his third international cap at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham this Sunday (9 March, kick-off: 3pm).
Fly-half Smith stays on at No. 10 for England after his penalty against Scotland proved decisive in their 16-15 victory in the last round, and joins scrum-half Mitchell in the half-back partnership once again in Round 4 of the competition.
Winger Freeman – who has scored in all three of England’s matches to date – stays alongside fellow Saint Sleightholme in the back three to complete Northampton’s quintet of starters against Italy.
“England versus Italy is always an exciting fixture to be part of,” said England head coach, Steve Borthwick.
“Playing in front of our home supporters at Allianz Stadium is something we’re really looking forward to, and we’re sure it will be a fantastic game of rugby.”
ENGLAND TEAM TO FACE ITALY
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 71 caps)
14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 18 caps)
13 Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 34 caps)
12 Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
11 Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
10 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
9 Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 21 caps)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 69 caps) – vice-captain
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 99 caps) – vice-captain
3 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 48 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 91 caps) – captain
5 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 59 caps)
7 Ben Earl (Saracens, 40 caps)
8 Tom Willis (Saracens, 4 caps)
Replacements:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 47 caps)
17 Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 8 caps)
18 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)
19 Ted Hill (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
20 Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 13 caps)
21 Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 9 caps)
22 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
23 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 42 caps)
