Four England changes as Borthwick names team to face All Blacks

Steve Borthwick has brought forward his England team announcement by 48 hours, naming on Tuesday an XV to take on New Zealand this Saturday that has four changes from last time out in Auckland. It was July 13 when the English were beaten 17-24 at Eden Park, leaving them with a 2-0 series defeat as they had lost 15-16 the previous weekend in Dunedin.

While the All Blacks have gone on to play eight matches since then, including last weekend’s win over Japan in Yokohama, Borthwick is preparing his team to play for the first time in 16 weeks. Happy with their training ground efforts so far in Girona and at Pennyhill, he has opted to name his selection two days early instead of waiting until Thursday as was originally planned.

There are two changes to the backline from Auckland, the fit-again George Furbank being restored to full-back in place of the excluded Freddie Steward. At scrum-half, Ben Spencer, a sub the last day, have been given the No9 shirt in place of the injured Alex Mitchell.

In the pack, Ellis Genge, who missed the summer tour, takes over at loosehead from the benched Fin Baxter, while Tom Curry, an Eden Park sub, takes over from Sam Underhill at openside. Underhill is fit, so this last alteration was a straight form call.

On the bench, Borthwick has gone with a six/two forwards/backs split in contrast to the five/three tactic used in July. Theo Dan and Dan Cole are the only two same replacements from the last day as the four other sub forwards are Baxter, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt. They will be joined as cover by half-back duo Harry Randall and George Ford, another to miss the summer tour through injury.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

1

Wins

3

Average Points scored

20

19

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

Borthwick came into camp at the start of this week with a squad of 36 but the six forwards who now miss out on match day are Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Trevor Davison, Ted Hill, Joe Marler and Underhill. The surplus seven backs are Elliot Daly, Alex Lozowski, Luke Northmore, Ollie Sleightholme, Fin Smith, Steward and Jack van Poortvliet.

A statement read: “Jamie George will lead England as captain, supported by four vice-captains: Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge and George Ford. In the front row, George is named at hooker alongside Genge at loosehead prop and Will Stuart at tighthead. At lock, Itoje partners George Martin. The back row sees Chandler Cunningham-South on the blindside flank, with Tom Curry at openside and Earl at No8.

“In the half-back positions, scrum-half Ben Spencer is paired with Marcus Smith at 10. The midfield sees Ollie Lawrence named at inside centre with Henry Slade at 13. In the back three, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso starts on the right wing, with Tommy Freeman on the left and George Furbank selected at full-back to complete the starting lineup.

“Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, and George Ford take their places on a 6/2 split bench.”

Borthwick said: “We are excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby. We will need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity throughout the match, from the first whistle to the final moment.

“With just two games at Allianz Stadium in our last 15, it’s fantastic to be returning to play in front of our home crowd again. The energy and passion of our supporters always gives the team an extra lift.”

England (vs New Zealand, Saturday)
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 65 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
11. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 35 caps)
9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 62 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 93 caps) – captain
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 41 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 84 caps) – vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
6. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 7 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 33 caps) – vice-captain

Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 14 caps)
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 2 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps)
19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
21. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 17 caps)
22. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 7 caps)
23. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 96 caps) – vice captain