Ranking England’s centre options following Benhard Janse van Rensburg selection as ‘famously problematic position’ remains a ‘headache’
Benhard Janse van Rensburg (right), Seb Atkinson (centre) and Tommy Freeman (left) are all contenders to start in the centres this summer for England
Bristol Bears back Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been named in a 42-man squad to attend a three-day England alignment camp, looking towards the Nations Championship Tests in July.
The South African-native qualifies for England on July 8, after their opening Test of the summer against the Springboks, but his inclusion in this initial extended group suggests that Steve Borthwick is very much looking at him for their meetings with Fiji and Argentina later down the track.
Centre has been a famously problematic position for England in recent years, but Janse van Rensburg’s eligibility and subsequent selection suggest that it is still a headache for the head coach following further changes in 2025 and early 2026. Across England’s past eight Tests, Borthwick has named four distinct pairings and started six different players at either 12 or 13 in that time too, which suggests he isn’t fully settled on what his best combination is.
The selection of Janse van Rensburg adds another layer of intrigue to that looking ahead to the July Tests, but where does he fit into the mix?
Well, here’s our take on the depth chart following his inclusion.
12
Test starter: Benhard Janse van Rensburg
It’s potentially a bold shout to have him at the top of the food chain right now, but the RFU wouldn’t have appealed the decision to stop him playing for the national team if he wasn’t likely to play at some point soon. While he is still ineligible to play for the Test side for their opener against the Springboks, Janse van Rensburg could very easily be England’s starting inside centre come Fiji and Argentina.
England are very clearly after someone like Janse van Rensburg to play at inside centre, specifically someone who blends deft playmaking with genuine smash-and-bash.
If you watch Bristol’s attack, a lot of its successes come as a result of the South African’s work. His cute handling skills, be it accuracy, speed of pass or vision, really help them play that sort of Harlem Globetrotters-esque attack and get the ball out wide early into phase play, but yet when needed he can give serious strike in midfield with his clever lines of running. He is also given freedom to act almost like a floating option in the line, often popping up in different spaces where he can make a difference.
This sort of play is exactly what Lee Blackett’s attack calls for. It’s exactly what Borthwick wants. It’s exactly why the RFU pushed for him to become eligible.
There’s a reason behind his inclusion, and it’s likely so he can start at 12.
2nd choice: Seb Atkinson
That said, though, Seb Atkinson is more than able to perform the role England want from their 12, albeit he is a slightly different player to Janse van Rensburg.
While Janse van Rensburg tends to float wider and act as that link player to the outside channels, Atkinson is almost a 10+ option with his ability to step in at first receiver and link up with the fly-half next to him. This was really evident to see in England’s latter Six Nations Tests when he came into the side, as he consistently looked to play off and even with Fin Smith to then inject pace and tempo into the attack.
While it was potentially clunky against Italy, it worked a treat against France and arguably got England playing their best rugby of the Championship in the process.
Around that, he is also very strong in the carry and is more than comfortable coming in as that strike option if needed.
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It’ll be interesting to see how England use him moving forward.
3rd choice: Fraser Dingwall
The Northampton Saint started 2026 as England’s go-to 12, and there’s no reason he can’t get back there this summer.
Dingwall is a really classy player and his ability to act as an extra fly-half was a core part of England’s attack during the Autumn Nations Series back in November, but England potentially wanted something extra in the carry in the Six Nations, and unfortunately for him, he lost his spot.
But, with Smith again pushing his way into the number 10 jersey, Dingwall could be a really good option to have alongside him. The pair have developed a beautiful combination at Northampton in the past few years, often interlinking with one another to inject proper speed into their attack, and that sort of work could do a job for England too.
Contender: Max Ojomoh
The Bath centre certainly deserves to be in the conversation over an England call-up, and can feel unlucky to miss out this time around too. A recent injury issue has not helped his case, but he was also not listed among England’s players not considered for selection, which suggests Borthwick simply didn’t pick him in the squad.
Ojomoh has not had an easy ride at Test level in recent campaigns, despite a decent debut against the USA and a Player of the Match effort against Argentina in November, and it seems he again has to fight for his spot back.
13
Test starter: Tommy Freeman
It’s clear to see Borthwick now views Tommy Freeman as an outside centre, and the Northampton Saints ace will likely start their again this summer. Freeman was one of a few players to end the Six Nations in real credit, and he spent the bulk of the Championship with 13 on his back too.
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The way England use him in this new position is really interesting, and more akin to a rugby league centre more than anything else. He just seems to come in really flat to the line when England need a little bit of strike to break through the line, and more often than not, it’s either in slightly broken field or close to the line. That in itself would work nicely with whoever is at 12, given they are all very capable of acting as the second playmaker, and it also means he can come into the game in the exact areas he excels in too.
Freeman also managed to reap the rewards for that with three tries in the Championship, which came when he started in midfield, which only strengthens his position as their go-to outside centre.
2nd choice: Henry Slade
Despite his form for Exeter Chiefs, Henry Slade still finds himself down the pecking order with England at the minute; but he’s not far off at all.
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Slade has been one of the key factors behind the Devonians’ impressive resurgence this season, and that form could certainly transfer well into an England shirt. He just seems to be playing with real confidence again, having his classy attacking flourishes while also kicking expertly well both out of hand and off the tee, and crucially, that confidence is something England have been lacking right now.
The experienced back is also a really unique option within this depth chart, playing a very different style to a lot of the players around him, and again that point of difference could work for England.
3rd choice: Benhard Janse van Rensburg
While he is likely being seen more as a 12, Janse van Rensburg is also able to cover 13 if needed and could be an option here in July too. He would offer exactly the same threat within England’s attack here as he would at 12, but shifting him over to 13 would also allow his defensive capabilities to stand out more, too.
Again, his floating role within Bristol’s backline often sees him defending slightly wider than you would expect, which allows him to really get into the opposition’s faces and shut down attacks before they get going. That is something defence coach Richard Wigglesworth would have liked.
Contender: Ollie Lawrence
His omission was arguably the most notable from the initial 42-man group, but he again will not be miles off a recall when the final squad is revealed.
Lawrence has had his injury issues in recent months, making just one appearance in the Six Nations as a result, and still seems to be working his way back to full fitness, but if he can hit his straps quickly could force Borthwick’s hand for the summer tour.