Ex-England skipper explains why Fraser Dingwall will be ‘worth his weight in gold’ this summer to Steve Borthwick
England's Fraser Dingwall celebrates in Cardiff last March
Dylan Hartley has backed Fraser Dingwall to continue growing his influence with England on their upcoming summer tour.
Steve Borthwick’s side will kick off preparations with an uncapped fixture versus a France XV at Twickenham on June 21 before flying out for a two-match July Test series in Argentina followed by a one-off game versus the USA.
It was away to Italy in February 2024 when Dingwall made his England Test debut but despite scoring a crucial try in the win over Wales the following weekend in London, the Northampton midfielder had to wait 13 months before eventually earning his third cap in March 2025.
That recall came against the Italians at Twickenham and was followed by another start in the record hammering of Wales which secured England second place in the Six Nations, their best placing since their 2020 title win.
“He is the wise head…”
Dingwall has since skippered his club in their Champions Cup final appearance against Bordeaux and the retired Hartley believes his former Saints teammate can now solidify his reputation as an important part of the England midfield on their Americas tour.
Speaking in an interview with OLBG, Hartley said: “Fraser is often overlooked as he is in the shadow of so many quality players around him. I say this most respectfully because he isn’t overtly flashy and physically he is not huge like an Ollie Lawrence.
“But for me, he is the glue – he is the guy that brings it all together. And then you sprinkle on the captaincy piece as well, he is the wise head.
“At 18, 19 when he was in the academy, you gravitate to the young kids who have got a nice way about them. They’re not shy, they’re not meek. They are quietly confident, respectful and ask good questions. Fraser has always been that guy.
“From a technical and a tactical point of view, he pulls it all together. He makes it tick. But then from a leadership point of view, he also pulls it all together. For me, he is a guy that is worth his weight in gold.”
To explain this value, Hartley referenced the legendary Chicago Bulls basketball team that has Michael Jordan as its star.
“There is a book called The Captain Class, and it refers to the Chicago Bulls team, Michael Jordan’s team, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman,” he said.
“And there is a guy that you don’t know, a guy no one ever remembers called Bill Cartwright. That guy made it all work. He got the ball where it needed to be. He got the ball to Jordan. And it’s the same with Messi. Someone passes the ball to Messi. Someone puts him in the best position.
“Granted that guy is probably paid millions of pounds, but he is not on the back of everyone’s shirt. No one’s buying his shirt. I’m not saying that is Fraser, but he is the guy that makes it all work and gets the ball to Tommy Freeman, to George Furbank.
“This summer with England is his opportunity. This is a really good chance for him to solidify his reputation and his credit with Steve Borthwick. I really hope he does because he is a fantastic man.”
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