Six Nations 2024: Fraser Dingwall should give England a 'different dimension', says Steve Borthwick

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Fraser Dingwall will make his England debut at centre-back against Italy on Saturday

Guinness Six Nations: Italy vs England
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday 3 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Coverage: Listen on ` Radio 5 Sports Extra; Live text and match highlights on the ` Sport website and app; Watch live on ITV1.

Steve Borthwick says Fraser Dingwall will bring a “different dimension” when he makes his Test debut in England’s Six Nations opener in Italy.

Dingwall starts at centre-back on Saturday, one of five players in head coach Borthwick's squad who have yet to play an international match.

The 24-year-old Northampton full-back has been involved in ten previous England camps and claims a position filled by Manu Tuilagi during the World Cup.

“Everyone can see how well he played,” Borthwick told ` Sport.

“I think he described himself as 'pretty stubborn,' and I'd say that's the understatement of the century.”

“This is a guy who is determined to play Test rugby, works incredibly hard and clearly deserves his chance.”

“He comes and tries to bring new dimensions to our game. We want to make sure everyone is tactically aligned so they feel like they can bring all of their superpowers to the pitch.”

Borthwick has often favored Tuilagi's power and direct running ability in midfield, but Dingwall has a different skill set than the 32-year-old Sale center, who is missing from the squad due to a groin injury.

“Fraser is a really smart defender and an excellent distributor,” Borthwick added.

“He finds space when he decides to carry and is very different in height to Manu Tuilagi, but he uses all his talent in a really intelligent way.”

“It hasn’t quite arrived yet”

Dingwall played age-group rugby for Scotland and might have been tempted to join Gregor Townsend's senior team as he had failed to win a cap for England up to that point.

But the Saints academy graduate says he is now “determined” to succeed with England.

“There is a lot of excitement and pride and so many emotions,” Dingwall told ` Sport. “It’s not entirely clear yet and I don’t think it will be until after the game.”

“The 10 squads are funny because I didn’t realize there were that many until now, but I’m really thankful for all of them because they really showed me what it took to make this jump.”

“Had it [first cap] I don't think I would have been ready if I had come earlier, whereas now I'm at a point where I'm more confident and can go into this game with the desire to perform rather than just be there .”

Asked if he had ever considered making himself available for Scotland, Dingwall said: “There were probably times when it was difficult because I played in and around so many teams, but I don't think that I've ever been in a place where I justified the choices so much that I turned my back on them [on England].”

Dingwall will join familiar faces in a defensive line that also includes Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell and winger Tommy Freeman, while Fin Smith could also make his debut as a fly-half off the bench.

England have not won their opening game of the last four Six Nations, something the center says he is keen to change against the Azzurri.

“That’s something we definitely want to make clear,” he said. “We don’t want to sleepwalk into the Six Nations, we want to attack them from the start.”

“As I am a debutant, the pressure is even greater, but I try to avoid that in my head. I just stick to our plan and how we want to play and then the result will take care of itself.”