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Steve Borthwick backs Ben Earl to cover centre for England against All Blacks
England head coach Steve Borthwick denied that he is taking a risk with Henry Slade’s fitness and back rower Ben Earl providing centre cover against New Zealand on Saturday.
Bringing forward his team announcement by 48 hours, Borthwick named Ben Spencer at scrum-half and dropped flanker Sam Underhill who he says has not had enough game time for Bath following ankle surgery.
Yet Borthwick had no hesitation in picking Slade at outside centre ahead of the in-form Alex Lozowski, despite only playing 55 minutes for Exeter Chiefs this season following shoulder surgery. He has also opted for a split of six forwards and two specialist half-backs in Harry Randall and George Ford, meaning there is back-five cover on the bench.
“Sladey is a really important player for us,” Borthwick said. “He’s an experienced Test match player, now more than ever. He’s in fantastic condition. He’s grown as a leader within this team. We’ve spoken a lot about the leadership of this team and he’s grown in a number of different areas as well.
“I think the nature is that when you’ve had the shoulder surgery he’s had, he’s been able to be running on his feet. He’s as fit as I’ve ever seen him. He’s in fantastic condition. He feels in great shape. He’s a player who is energised and full of energy. He’ll go really well on Saturday.”
Backfield cover will be provided by fly-half Marcus Smith, who Borthwick has previously deployed at full-back, as well as Earl who finished playing centre in the 52-17 victory against Japan in June. In both Tests against New Zealand in the summer, England let winning positions slip in the final quarter, prompting Borthwick to load up on extra loose forwards this time in the form of Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt.
“It (the final quarter) has been a really important consideration,” Borthwick said. “The intensity of those forward exchanges is significant. And clearly, as we reflected upon the last couple games played against and their ability to win that final quarter, we feel that this is one element that works towards us getting the result we want.
“Marcus provides good cover there (in the back three). George Furbank with his flexibility as well, his defensive system he operates in at Northampton is slightly different to us but he ends up defending on edges much more in the wing position. We’ve talked about the positional versatility of other players, the likes of Ben Earl in the centres. That’s been in consideration for a long period now, to be in a position where we can go 6-2.”
Borthwick also confirmed that Ollie Chessum will miss the rest of the Autumn Nations Series after Telegraph Sport revealed that he had sustained a knee injury in training last week. The Leicester loose forward underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to return to action before next year’s Six Nations.
In Chessum’s absence, Borthwick has opted to give Tom Curry his first start since last year’s World Cup third place play-off against Argentina in the back row, alongside Chandler Cunningham-South and Earl. The other changes from the side that lost 24-17 to New Zealand at Eden Park include Ellis Genge replacing Fin Baxter at loosehead, Spencer starting his first match at scrum-half in place of the injured Alex Mitchell and Furbank coming back in at full-back for Freddie Steward.
Underhill also missed out on one of the 17 Enhanced Elite Player Contacts that the Rugby Football Union announced last week, however Borthwick was adamant that has no bearing on selection. “I’ve been really clear with all the players … that I’ll pick what I believe the right 23 is to get the result at the weekend and that will be irrespective of enhanced EPS or not,” Borthwick said. “I pick the 23 I believe is the right 23.
“So Sam, at the start of the season he had ankle surgery, had two appearances off the bench and one start, and in one of those appearances from the bench he didn’t get too much time because there was a sin-bin situation. When you have an ankle surgery you can’t be on your feet and so much of Sam’s game is that constant work-rate, that’s one of the great X-factors in his game, that work-rate that he has, that sharpness he has, particularly in defence.”
04:22 PM GMT
More reaction to come
We will bring you Steve Borthwick’s thoughts and our writer’s reaction to the England team announcement later this afternoon.
Thanks for following!
04:21 PM GMT
‘People still love watching the All Blacks’
Here’s Ben Earl on the enormity of this fixture for England’s players:
“It’s one of those fixtures that when it’s released 18 months before you put a red circle around it and think that would be awesome to play in.
“Steve said we could have sold the stadium out 10 times over. People want to be there, people still love watching the All Blacks. People know the quality they bring and hopefully the quality we bring.”
03:52 PM GMT
Wigglesworth hits back at England ‘data straitjacket’ claim
England senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth insists he will never be a slave to statistics and will continue to judge attacking performance by sight and feel.
During this year’s Six Nations, former England captain Will Carling accused Steve Borthwick’s team of being stuck in a “data straitjacket”. In an interview with the Telegraph Rugby Podcast, Wigglesworth rejected the idea the coaching staff are in thrall to the data, insisting it only ever acts as a supporting guide to his own instincts when it comes to assessing England’s attack.
You can read the full story here.
03:49 PM GMT
The Telegraph Rugby Podcast is back!
Ahead of the Autumn Internationals, Ben, Charlie and Charles get stuck into England’s upcoming campaign which kicks off on Saturday with a clash against the All Blacks at Twickenham
We hear from England’s new senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth on what his new role entails, he also explains why he will always value what he sees with his own eyes over any underlying data provided to him.
The guys also attempt to nail down their selection picks in the back row and at half back, and discuss the recently awarded Elite Player Contracts and if the right people received them.
The first episode is available now on all podcast platforms.
03:40 PM GMT
Slade keeps starting position despite fitness concerns
Centre Henry Slade will resume his starting role in England’s midfield despite playing just 54 minutes of club rugby this season.
He played in England’s last Test against the All Blacks in July, shortly after which he underwent shoulder surgery. This led to him only making his comeback in Exeter’s defeat by Harlequins last weekend.
Daniel Schofield explained last week how a late call was likely to be made on Slade as he was released from England training to play for Exeter and prove his fitness in that weekend clash.
He has become one of England’s most important players, particularly in the implementation of their rush defence system which is very similar to Exeter’s.
Slade starts at 13 with Ollie Lawrence named at inside centre.
03:28 PM GMT
What to expect from England this autumn
England will need fire in attack to enjoy a successful autumn as they host New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan, Charlie Morgan, Telegraph Sport’s Senior Rugby Writer, says.
Despite a summer of changes to the coaching and conditioning departments, England have a settled squad and eight Tests under their belt already this year.
While they have a ready-made excuse of a meagre two-week build-up prior to facing New Zealand, there was also a mini camp at the start of October. It is perfectly reasonable to expect some accurate, effective attack over the coming four matches.
In truth, England will need that aspect of their game to fire to register at least three victories – which will surely be the target. Two wins would feel underwhelming. One would represent a dismal finish to 2024.
Steve Borthwick and Richard Wigglesworth, the senior assistant in charge of attack, do have plenty of weapons.
Read Charlie’s thoughts on how England could use them to produce a successful November here.
03:25 PM GMT
Ben Spencer starts
Ben Spencer will get his first Test match start in England’s battle against New Zealand on Saturday, with his previous six caps having all come as a replacement.
He comes in for the injured Alex Mitchell at scrum-half, with Bristol’s Harry Randall on the bench.
Spencer is paired with Marcus Smith at 10.
03:14 PM GMT
Club-by-club breakdown
Saracens – 5
Harlequins – 4
Bath Rugby – 3
Sale Sharks – 3
Bristol Bears – 2
Exeter Chiefs – 2
Leicester Tigers – 2
Northampton Saints – 2
(Which means no players for Gloucester or Newcastle Falcons).
03:10 PM GMT
Steve Borthwick’s thoughts
“We’re excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby,” the England head coach 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.”
03:06 PM GMT
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03:05 PM GMT
England can expect a burst of energy
You could make a strong case that the benches decided England’s series against the All Blacks in July. Whereas a couple of cameos from Beauden Barrett steered New Zealand home, Steve Borthwick’s replacements did not have the desired effect. Forwards conceded penalties around the breakdown, in the tackle area and at the scrum. Fin Smith could not quite exert control at fly-half, either.
Borthwick’s first match-day 23 of the autumn clearly aims to address that. A six-two split of forwards features a pair of specialist back-rowers in Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt, with Sam Underhill fit but overlooked. George Ford, superb during the Six Nations, is reinstated as an elder statesmen. Two backline injuries will probably require England to send Ben Earl into the centres again. In any case, England can expect a burst of energy. They will need one to exact revenge on the All Blacks.
03:00 PM GMT
England’s full team to face New Zealand
Here we go – Steve Borthwick’s team to face the All Blacks in their first autumn Test at Twickenham on Saturday. Jamie George will lead England as captain, supported by four vice-captains: Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge and George Ford.
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.
02:54 PM GMT
Just minutes to go now...
We will soon find out who has made Steve Borthwick’s team to face New Zealand this weekend.
02:47 PM GMT
Ted Hill, George Ford and Alex Coles added to England squad
Last week, England called up Bath forward Ted Hill ahead of the opening autumn Test against New Zealand.
Hill was joined in England’s 36-player squad by George Ford, after the Sale Sharks fly-half continued his injury rehabilitation last week in Girona, along with Northampton Saints lock Alex Coles.
The call-ups followed Ollie Chessum’s knee injury, which was first revealed by Telegraph Sport, and a concussion suffered in training by Bath lock Charlie Ewels. Sale wing Tom Roebuck was also been released with no injury designation.
Ben Coles has the full story here.
We will soon see which players have earned a spot in the team to face New Zealand on Saturday.
02:37 PM GMT
Our writers pick their England teams to face the All Blacks
A surprise return for Henry Slade? Slipping Tommy Freeman into midfield?
Our rugby experts have chosen the England teams they think will bring victory against New Zealand on Saturday – see if you agree with their decisions here. You can pick your own team as well!
02:29 PM GMT
Good afternoon
At 3pm, Steve Borthwick is set to announce his England team that will face the All Blacks this weekend – we will bring you all the latest updates and live reaction here.
England fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Eddie Jones’ Japan arriving at Twickenham over the coming weeks for the autumn internationals, kicking off with the All Blacks on Saturday afternoon.
Borthwick’s men will be out for revenge in their opening Test, after a series loss in New Zealand in the summer. However the team will have to take a significant step forward if they are to triumph over the Kiwis for the first time since their 19-7 victory in the World Cup semi-final in 2019.
Last week, England revealed they had called up Ted Hill, George Ford, and Alex Coles to the squad after Ollie Chessum’s knee injury. Sale wing Tom Roebuck was also released with no injury designation.
Stay tuned for full coverage and live reaction from the team announcement, with the side set to be revealed at 3pm.
