Who Could Replace Ollie Lawrence? Steve Borthwick Assesses England Centre Options For Six Nations Finale

We’re taking a look at who could replace Ollie Lawrence in the England midfield after the centre suffered a season-ending injury in Sunday’s Six Nations win against Italy.

England will need to shuffle the pack in the centres as Ollie Lawrence will not be available for the first time in more than a year.

The Six Nations concludes on Super Saturday with England travelling to Cardiff to take on Wales.

Should fail to beat Scotland, Steve Borthwick’s side could still lift the trophy with a convincing victory over the Welsh.

But Bath centre Lawrence will be a big loss for the side, having ruptured his Achilles tendon in the first half against Italy.

Sadly, this has put an end to the 25-year-old’s season, and almost certainly ended his hopes of going on this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

As a result of Lawrence’s unfortunate injury, Northampton’s Fraser Dingwall looks set to continue at inside centre, but there is plenty of debate around who will step in and fill the 13 jersey in Lawrence’s absence.

With one final game in this Six Nations still to play, we’re taking a look at who could replace Ollie Lawrence against Wales.

Who Could Replace Ollie Lawrence?

Henry Slade

Veteran Henry Slade had started alongside Lawrence for much of the past year.

The Exeter Chiefs man was reportedly carrying a slight knock in the build-up to England Vs Italy, leading to Dingwall’s selection.

But with Lawrence now out, it seems most likely Slade will slot straight back in at outside centre – assuming he’s fit.

However, should Slade still not be 100% right, there are a number of other options at Steve Borthwick’s disposal.

Elliot Daly

One of these is Elliot Daly. Another vastly experienced operator, Daly moved to 13 from fullback during the Italy game after Lawrence went off.

England’s most versatile player, he has played at centre, wing and fullback numerous times for club and country.

Although used less often in midfield by England compared to his club Saracens, Daly performed superbly at the weekend and is more than capable of playing centre at international level.

But with Borthwick picking him at fullback initially, there’s a chance Daly could be chosen to play 15 once again.

Tommy Freeman

Another option is therefore to move winger Tommy Freeman one position in-field.

The Northampton man has played outside centre in the Premiership frequently, but is yet to be used in midfield for England.

At 103kg, Freeman is a big man and powerful ball carrier, who is perhaps best-suited to perform the Ollie Lawrence-like role of getting England over the gainline.

But while Steve Borthwick has said he has ‘no doubts’ about Freeman’s ability in the centres, the England coach has not picked him there so far.

Ben Earl

A very left-field option, but one that England used late on against Italy.

Ben Earl is a fast, agile and dynamic back row forward, who is one of England’s most dangerous runners with ball-in-hand.

He would certainly offer enough physicality to make up for losing Lawrence from the centres, but would Borthwick be bold enough to pick Earl there from the beginning?

Oscar Beard

Uncapped Harlequins man Oscar Beard has been knocking on the England door for some time.

He has been a member of the wider training squad all tournament, but is yet to be given a crack in the match-day 23.

With so much riding on Saturday’s clash in Cardiff, it seems unlikely Borthwick would hand the 23-year-old his debut in the pressure cooker that is the Principality Stadium.

However, Beard’s strong carrying and physical presence offer something few of England’s other midfield options can provide, especially now Lawrence is out.

Max Ojomoh

Fellow Bath man Max Ojomoh has been called in to the England squad in place of club teammate Lawrence.

Twenty-four-year-old Max is the son of Nigerian-born former England back row Steve Ojomoh, and brings tonnes of physicality as well as good soft-skills and distribution.

He impressed for England A in their February victory against their Irish counterparts, and is certainly pushing for a senior cap.

But, like Beard, it seems more likely that England’s summer tour to Argentina might be when he earns his first full cap.