Ollie Lawrence ‘wasted at 12’ and should be ‘right at top’ of England No. 13 options - David Flatman

Ollie Lawrence is “wasted” at inside centre and should be “right at the top” of England’s options to wear the No. 13 shirt at the 2024 Six Nations, says David Flatman.

The England international has been in terrific form of late for Bath, but has predominantly played in a different role for his country.

Although he regularly lines up at outside centre for the Gallagher Premiership side, Lawrence has featured most often at No. 12 for England – which Flatman believes is a mistake.

“He was Bath’s best player last season for my money, but he’s gone to another level,” said the TNT Sports expert.

“It’s no coincidence that Finn Russell has arrived, and the Bath midfield looks twice as good as it was last season – and it was good last season.

"People think [Lawrence] is a big unit and you can put him at 12, crash it up. My opinion is that he’s wasted at 12.

"Yes, he’s got that, but he’s got footwork, real pace, he’s a very intelligent player, so he does a lot of work before the ball arrives, he’s often beaten players before the ball has got there, he fades away.

“There is so much more to Ollie Lawrence than just strength and power. But he does have that.

“He’s one of probably four guys who England cold realistically start at 13 in the Six Nations. He’s right at the top.

“Manu [Tuilagi] is the king, so it might depend how fit Manu is and whether he fancies it or not. But Ollie Lawrence for me will be very close to being No. 1.”

Bath have started the season in strong form since their blockbuster summer signing of Scotland playmaker Russell.

They sit second in the Gallagher Premiership standings after eight games, level on 27 points with leaders Sale Sharks, and Lawrence has scored three tries in his last two league games.

“He’s a big man but he’s light on his feet,” Flatman continued.

“A bit like Finn Russell. Genetically they’re very different, but he makes very difficult things look very easy.

“He’s a natural talent. I was watching him warm up and he’s some specimen.

“Along with a lot of the Bath players right now, he’s improving, which says a lot about the environment.”

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