England name team to face the All Blacks

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Front row props Joe Marler and Will Stuart have gained starts in the side. Prop Fin Baxter and wing Ollie Sleightholme should make their debuts from the bench.

Coach Steve Borthwick said, "It doesn't get more challenging than playing New Zealand at home, but it's where we want to be.

"We want to find out more about 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 ensure we maintain our discipline."

First five-eighth Marcus Smith has been given the starting role for his 33rd Test. Having been introduced to top-level rugby at the age of 18, it has been a long wait in the shadow of Owen Farrell and George Ford.

"It's put me in a good position at this stage of my career where I realise it's no coincidence or accident why those guys have amassed hundreds of caps. Their diligence, concentration and focus are at the highest level.


"I've grown in my leadership and the way I see life and rugby.

"I'm nowhere near being the finished article from a rugby-playing point of view – or as a person. But the lessons I learned from a young age, rubbing shoulders with idols of mind who I used to watch growing up, have put me in a confident position, that I can showcase the best of myself."

The All Blacks got a taste of his ability when he came on as a substitute in their last Test with England at Twickenham in 2022 and fired a stunning 10-minute recovery from 6-25 down to snatch a 25-25 draw.

Substitute prop Dan Cole stands to gain a share of the record of the most-capped England forward. It will be his 114th cap, taking him level with Jason Leonard. It would be Coles' first game against the All Blacks in New Zealand for England. He has a record of 2-2 wins and losses in four Tests.

The England team is: 1.Joe Marler, 2.Jamie George-captain, 3.Will Stuart, 4.Maro Itoje, 5.George Martin, 6.Chandler Cunningham-South, 7.Sam Underhill, 8.Ben Earl, 9.Alex Mitchell, 10.Marcus Smith, 11.Tommy Freeman, 12.Ollie Lawrence, 13.Henry Slade, 14.Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 15.George Furbank.

Substitutes: 16.Theo Dan, 17.Fin Baxter, 18.Dan Coles, 19.Alex Coles, 20.Tom Curry, 21.Ben Spencer, 22.Fin Smith, 23.Ollie Sleightholme.

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