Fraser Dingwall will take extra satisfaction from his England debut knowing it embodies a triumph of persistence.
Dingwall starts Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy at inside centre as reward for his impressive form for Northampton, who provide three of the backline at the Stadio Olimpico.
Injuries to Ollie Lawrence and Manu Tuilagi have presented the 24-year-old with a platform to offer the solution to England’s perennial problem position – and it has been earned the hard way.
First called-up by Eddie Jones in 2020, he has been picked in nine senior squads without breaking into the matchday 23 in a sequence of omissions that left him fearing he would never be capped.
“There have been a couple of times when I wasn’t sure if it would actually happen but I feel like I’ve been pretty persistent,” Dingwall said.
“To get to this point makes it even more special just because I know the journey I’ve been through and what has been required to get to this point.
“I always felt like I was in and around it but also felt like there was growth in me. I don’t think I ever came in initially thinking I was the finished article and ready to go.
“I think I knew I was slightly early. And there has probably only been a couple of times I was really pushing.
“This was one of them and was the Australia tour in 2022. I was pretty gutted after that one not to have featured.
“But I’ve got lots of good people around me just to keep me level and I have a great team at Saints who have pushed me on to that next level.”
By his own admission Dingwall is not a bulldozing centre in the mould of Lawrence or Tuilagi but he is confident in his ability as a smart all-rounder who matches robust defence with sharp distribution and an eye for space.
“Some players typically have super strengths. I guess you could say I don’t necessarily have that, other than if I can be really good at lots of things,” he said.
“I can be really good with my voice and also really good at bringing the best out of other people. That almost becomes my super strength.
“It’s not so much about being really quick, or really powerful. But if I could do everything really well, that becomes a trait.
“I wouldn’t look to replicate what Henry Slade does or what Ollie Lawrence does. Each centre is very different.
“It’s more about creating a balance in the midfield as a whole and how centres can complement each other.”
Northampton are the Gallagher Premiership’s pacesetters and qualified for the knockout phase of Europe after registering four wins in as many group outings.
Their backline potency is reflected in England’s team selection against Italy with scrum-half Alex Mitchell and wing Tommy Freeman also present and Dingwall believes recent wins over the likes of Toulon, Munster and Sale have put a spring in their step.
“There’s definitely confidence from that because we’re doing so well and also because of the teams we’ve beaten,” he said.
All Blacks captain Cane to retire from international rugby
New Zealand captain Sam Cane has announced he will retire from international rugby at the end of 2024, having agreed a three-year contract with Japan Rugby League One team Tokyo Sungoliath.
Cane made his All Blacks debut in 2012 and has represented his country 95 times, including through the team's triumphant run at the 2015 World Cup.
The flanker succeeded Kieran Read as captain in 2020, though his most recent international outing ended with him suffering the ignominy of becoming the first man to be sent off in a Rugby World Cup final, as New Zealand were beaten by South Africa last year.
Cane will be eligible to represent the All Blacks through the second half of 2024 after returning from an initial spell in Japan but will then head there permanently after New Zealand Rugby agreed to release him from his contract.
"A good opportunity came my way with Sungoliath willing to offer me a three-year contract," Cane said. "I had to weigh up everything and, in the end, with a young family it seemed like the best decision to help set us up for our future.
"I had my time as captain and it was a huge honour and privilege. If I'm fortunate enough to be selected for the All Blacks this year then I'll still be myself.
"I love that team, and if part of my role is contributing leadership-wise, I'll be happy to support the new captain as best I can to help with a speedy transition."
Rees-Zammit relishing Mahomes advice as former rugby star eyes spot on Chiefs roster
Louis Rees-Zammit has likened Patrick Mahomes to an extra coach as he looks to make an impact in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rees-Zammit shocked rugby union fans in January when he announced he was turning his back on the sport to enter the NFL's International Player Pathway programme.
He was signed by two-time defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City in March and is now looking to earn a place on their roster for 2024, learning the role of running back at the Chiefs' rookie minicamp after attending another training camp alongside Mahomes.
Rees-Zammit has made sure to pick the brains of Mahomes, who has led the Chiefs to six straight AFC Championship games and won three Super Bowl rings since being drafted in 2017.
"It was amazing, all the quarterbacks and receivers were there, we were running routes, we were working in the gym", Rees-Zammit said of his experience at that camp in Texas.
"It was a great two weeks, I definitely learned a lot with Pat and the other boys."
Asked if Mahomes was acting like an extra coach, he said: "100 per cent.
"I'm new to the game so I'm trying to pick everyone's brains and try and pick up the sport as quick as possible because I want to be out there playing.
"The way I can do that is picking the brains of everyone that's currently here and trying to learn the game as quickly as possible."
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been impressed by Rees-Zammit's attitude, saying: "He's so diligent with everything and wants to be so good at everything. I appreciate that.
"I like the fact he's got shorter steps initially, that's a good thing as a running back. If you're a long strider in there you've got to really work on making it through those tight adjustments you have to make. He seems to have a nice feel."
England and Saracens number eight Vunipola fined after arrest in Mallorca
England international Billy Vunipola has confirmed he has been fined after an incident which saw him arrested in Mallorca on Sunday, with his club Saracens set to launch an internal investigation.
On Monday, widespread reports claimed Vunipola had been tasered by Spanish police in the early hours of Sunday morning, with an altercation taking place after he left a club in Palma.
Saracens later confirmed they were aware of an incident and said they would deal with it internally.
The number eight, who was born in Australia but has represented England 75 times, later released a statement of his own via his club, denying that any violence took place and confirming the police investigation was now closed.
"I can confirm I was involved in an unfortunate misunderstanding when I was leaving a club in Mallorca on Sunday, which got out of hand," that statement read.
"Contrary to media reports, there was no violence, no fight and I did not threaten anybody at any stage, with bottles or chairs or anything else.
"I was charged with resisting the law and, following an 'express trial', I have paid a fine of €240. The Spanish police investigation is now closed, and I am flying back to the UK today.
"I will obviously cooperate with the Saracens internal process and unreservedly apologise for any inconvenience to all involved."
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