Ollie Lawrence could not have wished for a better return to the international stage, scooping the Guinness Six Nations Player of the Match award in England’s 31-14 win over Italy.
Restored to the England midfield from the start for the first time since 2021, Lawrence produced an all-action display, making 84 metres from 11 carries and weighing in with nine tackles as England looked more assured across the park after a frustrating start to the campaign against Scotland.
Steve Borthwick’s side seemed to prosper with a destructive ball-carrier in the centres, and post-match Lawrence revealed his instruction was to help his side achieve front-foot ball.
“It was important for us to make a big step on last week,” he said.
“Steve [Borthwick] said to me I needed to get us on the front foot and that was my job today, to make sure I got us over that gain lineand with quick ball so we could attack on the edges.
“Together we did really well today, I think we took a massive stride forwards after last week.”
The first win of the Borthwick era is one England fans will savour, and they can enjoy the two-week break ahead of a trip to Cardiff knowing they are up and running in the 2023 Championship.
And Lawrence hopes this success will be a springboard for greater things.
“We’re rebuilding as a team and we’re taking small steps each week and the progression is getting there,” he said.
“We are nowhere near the finished product yet. We all believe in where we are going and I think we need to just keep getting better.”
The Bath star had not started at Twickenham since a difficult outing against Scotland two years ago where opportunities for him to impact the game proved few and far between.
He has refined his game since and earned a recall to national side after a series of stellar performances for the West Country club.
Still only 23, Lawrence was thrilled to achieve only his second Guinness Six Nations win, and first as a starter, one that will surely be the first of many.
“It’s surreal being here in front of fans,” he said.
“We wanted to make them proud and hopefully we looked more united today and more energetic.
“For me personally, it’s a pleasure to be back out here in front of my family and friends.
“I try to carry hard and keep my head down. I think in the past I was maybe a bit too tense.
“I listened to the people around me, relaxed and did what I had to do.
“I’m proud of the boys and their efforts, they were behind me all week.
“This was the first time being back in the squad for a long time and they pushed me to get better, Steve has pushed me to get better and hopefully we can continue from here.”
