Match preview: England v New Zealand
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham | Date: Saturday 15 November | Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and live text on the BBC Sport website and app.
England head into Saturday’s Quilter Nations Series clash with New Zealand with injury doubts over Tommy Freeman and Ollie Chessum. Freeman is being monitored for a hamstring issue, while second-row Chessum has a foot problem and was pictured on crutches at the team hotel. Both players started the victories over Australia and Fiji but missed Monday’s training session.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has several contingency plans if Freeman is ruled out on the wing. Elliot Daly is available after recovering from the fractured forearm he sustained on the Lions tour, though he has not featured since 2 July. Tom Roebuck looks to have overcome an ankle knock, and Henry Arundell enhanced his selection case with a superb try in England’s 38-18 win over Fiji. Freddie Steward, who started against Australia, appears fit after a hand injury and is expected to contest the full-back role alongside Daly and Marcus Smith.
In the second row, Maro Itoje — who began the Fiji game on the bench — could step in for Chessum if required, while Alex Coles has kept his starting spot. England’s confidence is high: they are on a nine-Test winning streak under Borthwick and moved up to fourth in the world rankings this week after France’s defeat to South Africa.
New Zealand, currently second in the world, arrive in good form, having beaten Ireland 26-13 and edged Scotland 25-17 thanks to a late Damian McKenzie try. England have not beaten the All Blacks since the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final and last recorded a Twickenham victory over New Zealand in 2012.
Former captain Jamie George urged the squad to embrace the occasion rather than be intimidated by New Zealand’s reputation, stressing the need for a clear gameplan that applies constant pressure and flawless execution. Flanker Sam Underhill warned of the All Blacks’ attacking threats, noting their athletic ball-carriers, rapid wide play and breakdown threats from the likes of Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi, all of which England must contain to have a chance of winning.
