England have made two front-row changes for their Test match with New Zealand in Dunedin.
Props Joe Marler and Will Stuart are the only changes to Saturday’s side which beat Japan 52-17 in Tokyo, replacing Bevan Rodd and Dan Cole.
Stuart scored two tries as England scored 19 unanswered points in the last 10 minutes to draw 25-25 draw at Twickenham in the sides’ last meeting in November 2022.
Cole drops to the bench and is in line to win his 114th cap to equal Jason Leonard as England’s second-most capped men’s player, while Fin Baxter and Ollie Sleightholme could win their first caps.
Alex Coles replaces the suspended Charlie Ewels among the substitutes with Ben Spencer coming onto the bench for Harry Randall.
“It doesn’t get more challenging than playing New Zealand at home, but it’s exactly where we want to be,” England coach Steve Borthwick said.
“We want to find out more about ourselves and test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.
“Test rugby is a game of fine margins, so our mindset is going to be very important on Saturday. We’ll need to be mentally strong, play a tactically smart game, and maintain our discipline.”
New Zealand will name their team on Thursday.
The two Tests open Scott Robertson’s tenure as head coach of the All Blacks, who also have a new captain in lock forward Scott Barrett.
Steve Borthwick, Head Coach of England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Imag
The second match will be a week later at Auckland’s Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost since 1994.
“Their game is built off around their set-piece and putting you under pressure in the wrong parts of the field,” All Blacks forward Codie Taylor said of England.
England warmed up by thrashing Japan 52-17 in Tokyo nine days ago before flying in for their first tour of New Zealand since 2014.
“They showed some good stuff against Japan,” Taylor told reporters in Wellington. “They have been over here, working away. It’s going to be a bloody tough match.”
England have won eight of 43 Tests against the All Blacks, but only two of those victories were on New Zealand soil.
The All Blacks have not played since losing the Rugby World Cup final to South Africa in Paris in October, since when England played in the Six Nations, finishing third.
Taylor gave little away about how New Zealand will play under Robertson, who led Canterbury Crusaders to seven straight Super Rugby titles.
“We’ve talked about clarity and connection, and how we want to play. Within that, there’s some exciting things,” Taylor said.
Codie Taylor. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
“We always pride ourselves in playing what’s in front of us, but it’s dealing with the likes of an England team that wants to put you under pressure and get the ball behind you.”
All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen hinted that the side’s tactics would not embrace radical changes.
“Fundamentally, it’s going to be around our set-piece ability to create momentum and build pressure,” he said.
“That will still be our DNA, that is All Blacks rugby. We’re excited to see the team come together for the first time.”
England full-back George Furbank said they expected Robertson to have made an impact.
“He’s a winning coach, look at all the trophies he won with the Crusaders,” Furbank told reporters in Auckland. “He knows how to get a team to win.”
The fullback expected New Zealand to stick to their strengths.
“They have a very good off-loading game, they are very good on the front foot, especially at home,” Furbank said.
“We know there is a big challenge coming this weekend.”
ENGLAND TEAM:
George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Chandler Cunningham-South, George Martin, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George (capt), Joe Marler. Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme.
