Northampton Saints centre Fraser Dingwall believes his first taste of international rugby has made him a better player, and it’s created a hunger for more honours.

Dingwall, 24, had previously been involved with the England squad, notably during their preparation for the World Cup, however he only won his first cap this Six Nations against Italy. He added his second cap against Wales, where he also scored his first try.

Speaking to Rugby Nause News, Dingwall detailed he feels he is a better player now than he was prior to his first cap: “I thoroughly believe that I have improved from it,” he said.

“I feel like I have even a better understanding of the game from it. I feel like I can understand pressure even more.”

He also explained how it’s lit a fire under his belly to go and win more caps for his country: “I think just getting a taste of international rugby has made me crave it more, and I’m aware that the way you get that is by performing week in week out from your club. I thoroughly believe that I have improved from it.”

Dingwall on ‘positive’ conversations with Steve Borthwick

England v Wales – Guinness Six Nations 2024 Fraser Dingwall of Northampton Saints is celebrating Ben Earl of Saracens try for England during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium in London, on February 10, 2024. London United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xActionxFotoxSportx originalFilename:galvin-englanda240210_nprgv.jpg

Whilst Dingwall started both of England’s games against Italy and Wales, he wasn’t included at all for the final three matches of the Championship.

This might have left the Northampton centre feeling downbeat about his performances, but he explained a chat with Steve Borthwick allowed him to feel he did enough with his chances.

“It was all really positive, all the feedback was really positive and straightforward,” he said.

Dingwall was replaced in the 12 shirt by Ollie Lawrence, who had been touted as the first choice centre prior to the tournament; but this again left the Saints back feeling he did enough with his chance.

“The best thing for me was that it wasn’t so much I wasn’t playing because I hadn’t played well, it was more around how Ollie (Lawrence) was coming back in and he was probably the first choice centre.”

“Once you have that from a coach it’s really easy to live with because you know that you’ve got honest feedback from a coach and you can feel like you’ve just got areas to get after.”

The centres offer differing skill sets, with Dingwall more of a ball player compared to Lawrence’s powerful ball carrying, but again Dingwall was happy to find out what areas he needs to work on to get the 12 shirt on a more permanent basis: “Obviously I’m slightly different to Ollie and the other centres within the group and so there are parts of my game that I’m looking to kick on but on the whole it was really positive from Steve.”

These positive conversations, alongside his solid showings in the Six Nations, should keep Dingwall at the front of Steve Borthwick’s mind ahead of England’s tour to Japan and New Zealand this summer.

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