England’s Tactical Shift: Lawrence Moves to Outside Centre

Ollie Lawrence previously scored England’s initial try against Ireland during this year’s Six Nations. For the upcoming Autumn Nations Series match between England and Australia, scheduled for Saturday, 9 November, with a 15:10 GMT kick-off at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, England anticipates that Ollie Lawrence’s move to outside centre will allow the Bath player to maximize his ball-carrying strength. Coverage for the match will be available via live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, and live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Lawrence, aged 25, played at inside centre during England’s initial Autumn Nations Series loss to New Zealand. Despite this, he has been crucial to Bath’s ascent to the Premiership’s top position while playing at 13. Henry Slade, who had started every England Test this year at outside centre, will swap positions with Lawrence, marking Steve Borthwick’s sole alteration for Saturday’s game as he aims to conclude a streak of three matches without a victory. England’s senior assistant coach, Richard Wigglesworth, conveyed to BBC Sport, “I want Ollie to touch the ball in as much space as he can, he is go-forward for us.” Wigglesworth further stated, “I want the players to show exactly what they can do and put their best on the pitch.” He also mentioned, “The numbers on their back have been interchangeable in some specific transition stuff and how we can get them into the best positions to show off their skills.” Although Borthwick’s team was close to defeating the All Blacks, they scored only one breakaway try, which came from wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Lawrence executed only two carries during that match, tying for the lowest number with props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart, yet he led England’s tackle statistics with 27. This upcoming match will mark the eighth consecutive game where both Slade and Lawrence will form a partnership in England’s midfield. While their jersey numbers are being altered, they have previously exchanged positions during Test matches. A notable instance occurred during this year’s Six Nations, when Slade assisted Lawrence for a crucial try against France in Lyon just before half-time. The coaching staff did not solely make this decision, as both England centres had previously shared their perspectives with staff on how a positional adjustment could optimize their potent backline. Lawrence further stated, “We do it anyway, if it is attack or defence we are always switching about, but there is more emphasis this week in me being in the wider channels and it is something we think we can explore.” He also remarked, “Credit to Steve he’s given us the green light to give it a crack.” This positional change means Lawrence will face Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, a rugby league convert, as his opposite number in the Australian team. Suaalii will be making his professional XVs debut. The 21-year-old recently transitioned from rugby league on a three-year contract reportedly valued at A$5.35m (£2.7m), having last played rugby union for Australian Schoolboys in 2019. Lawrence commented, “I’ve seen some of his league stuff as I watch some league and he is a great player.” He continued, “Switching codes to union is a challenge in itself, he will want to just enjoy the occasion more than anything.” Lawrence added, “It is tough coming into this environment and the outside noise to be a certain player or do what you are doing in league, but hopefully he goes out there and enjoys it.” He concluded, “There are no mind games from my perspective, just an opportunity to play against great players.” Suaalii, who previously played as a wing or centre for the Sydney Roosters, made his National Rugby League (NRL) debut at 17 years old, having demonstrated talent in both rugby codes during his schoolboy years. Wigglesworth further stated, “He is a world-class talent and elite rugby player, [coach] Joe Schmidt will not put in a guy who is not ready.” He also described Suaalii as “A young man with incredible talent that we will have to do a job on.”