Six Nations 2024 LIVE rugby: Italy v England latest build-up and ...

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.

Sebastian Negri has no interest in mincing his words when it comes to Italy’s performance on the big stage last autumn. “Look, there’s no doubt about it, we let ourselves down at the World Cup,” he admits.

England, Ireland, Wales and France are all likely to have new captains at the helm, while Italy begin life under Gonzalo Quesada after a post-tournament coaching changes.

Williams began his career with the whistle in 2011, and was appointed to the New Zealand High Performance referee squad three years later.

A step-up into Super Rugby followed in 2016, with Williams the first official in the competition from the North Island region of Taranaki.

Andy Farrell hailed Ireland’s ruthlessness and composure after their Six Nations title defence was launched with a record-breaking five-try demolition of 14-man France.

The reigning Grand Slam champions propelled themselves into pole position for further championship glory by dismantling the ragged pre-tournament favourites 38-17 in Marseille.

Ireland’s bonus-point success, secured by tries from Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Beirne, Calvin Nash, Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, plus 13 points from Jack Crowley, was their largest winning margin away to France.

Everyone in Irish rugby can at last smile again. It has been a long four months since the agonising defeat in the World Cup quarter-final, but this win was an almost perfect return to French soil to take charge of a Six Nations for which they are now significant favourites.

There was plenty to like from Ireland’s familiar faces in a convincing win over a 14-man France. Bundee Aki was excellent and Caelan Doris too but it was the performance of two newer names that will most please Andy Farrell after a giant stride towards the defence of their grand slam crown. Great faith had been placed by the Ireland head coach in Joe McCarthy and Jack Crowley at lock and fly-half respectively; the pair rewarded Farrell with two fine performances.

Ange Capuozzo is out of the Italy side to face England in their Six Nations opener this weekend due to illness, the country’s rugby federation announced on Friday.

Capuozzo is suffering with gastroenteritis and the wing will be replaced by Lorenzo Pani in the starting team for Saturday’s game, while Edoardo Iachizzi, who had been selected among the replacements, is out with a shoulder injury.

Italy have now named uncapped flanker Alessandro Izekor and centre Federico Mori as replacements.

Italy team to play England: 15-Tommaso Allan, 14-Lorenzo Pani, 13-Ignacio Brex, 12-Tommaso Menoncello, 11-Monty Ioane, 10-Paolo Garbisi, 9-Alessandro Garbisi, 8-Lorenzo Cannone, 7-Michele Lamaro, 6-Sebastian Negri, 5-Federico Ruzza, 4-Niccolo Cannone, 3-Pietro Ceccarelli, 2-Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1-Danilo Fischetti.

Replacements: 16-Giacomo Nicotera, 17-Mirco Spagnolo, 18-Giosue Zilocchi, 19-Andrea Zambonin, 20-Alessandro Izekor, 21-Manuel Zuliani, 22-Stephen Varney, 23-Federico Mori.

That left a head-to-head shootout between 91-cap Ford – who has only recently returned to action from an injury of his own and is struggling for form at Sale Sharks – and uncapped Northampton Saints star Fin Smith. Head coach Steve Borthwick has opted for the experience of Ford from the start, with Smith on the bench and in line to finish out the clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

England team to play Italy: 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps) 14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps) 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 57 caps) 12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped) 11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps) 10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 91 caps) vice captain 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 11 caps) 1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps) 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps) captain 3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 33 caps) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps) vice captain 5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps) 6. Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped) 7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 30 caps) 8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps)

Replacements: 16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps) 17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 58 caps) vice captain 18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps) 19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 3 caps) 20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, uncapped) 21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps) 22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped) 23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)

England return to action for the first time since an encouraging Rugby World Cup as they travel to meet Italy.

After a year of turmoil ahead of the tournament, Steve Borthwick’s side performed well in France, coming close to pipping eventual champions South Africa in a physical semi-final.

The key now for Borthwick will be to build on those solid foundations and secure a first Six Nations crown since 2020.

Italy have never beaten England but ran both France and Ireland close at home last year, and should be energised under new coach Gonzalo Quesada.