Henry Slade has convinced England boss Steve Borthwick he is ready to take on New Zealand after being picked at outside centre for Saturday’s clash at the Allianz Stadium.
Slade made his first appearance of the season in Exeter’s defeat by Harlequins on Sunday having undergone shoulder surgery, completing 55 minutes before being withdrawn.
That run out is deemed enough to give him the nod ahead of the in-form Alex Lozowski, with the Chiefs playmaker an influential figure in the team’s aggressive ‘blitz’ defensive system.
The three-way battle at scrum-half has been won by Ben Spencer, who will make his first start for England having won all six previous caps in a five-year Test career off the bench.
Harry Randall edges Jack van Poortvliet as back-up cover on a bench that features a six-two split between forwards and backs, with George Ford the replacement fly-half.
Chandler Cunningham-South is present at blindside flanker after Ollie Chessum was ruled out against the All Blacks – and most likely the entire autumn programme – because of a knee problem.
Cunningham-South has enjoyed a stellar debut year for England and is preferred for the back row vacancy ahead of the more experienced Sam Underhill, who is also overlooked for a substitute role.
Ellis Genge and Will Stuart are the starting props who will be rotated out for Fin Baxter and Dan Cole early in the second half.
Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt are the replacement back five forwards.
England were edged by the All Blacks in two hard-fought Tests in July and are seeking a first Twickenham victory over Saturday’s visitors since 2012.
“We’re excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby,” Borthwick said.
“We’ll 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 Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 29, 2024
England team to play New Zealand
Forwards: 1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), 2 Jamie George (CAPTAIN, Saracens), 3 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens), 5 George Martin (Leicester Tigers), 6 Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), 7 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), 8 Ben Earl (Saracens)
Backs: 9 Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), 10 Marcus Smith (Harlequins), 11 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), 12 Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), 13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), 15 George Furbank (Northampton Saints)
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan (Saracens), 17 Fin Baxter (Harlequins), 18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), 19 Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), 20 Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), 21 Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), 22 Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), 23 George Ford (Sale Sharks)