HALFBACKS
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
Just a matter of days again, the England 10 shirt could have been printed in advance with ‘Smith’ plastered on the back. With George Ford seemingly unavailable with injury, the tug of war came down to Marcus and Fin Smith, to lead the England back-line against the All Blacks. However, Ford was named by Borthwick as a match fit player in Sunday’s squad update, with question marks surrounding the Sale man’s involvement this weekend.
As Ford has not played any on-field minutes since sustaining his unfortunate quad injury against Saracens, we can’t expect the fly half to take the starting shirt. We expect Borthwick to pick Marcus Smith to take the 10 jersey, with Ford surpassing Fin Smith to a seat amongst the replacements. Marcus Smith has been in impressive form for Harlequins in recent weeks, with the fly half predicted to make the short walk from the Stoop to the Allianz for Saturday’s blockbuster.
The fly half baton once again rests with Smith, who led the line for England at 10 in the Summer tour of Japan and New Zealand. Smith was excellent against Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms, as he scored a try and grabbed two assists in the emphatic 52-17 win out in the Far East. Smith’s kicking performance in the first Test against the All Blacks, mirrored that of Jonny Wilkinson’s shortcomings at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The halfback left eight crucial points on the pitch, and is eyeing up revenge from the All Blacks win in Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Ben Spencer was arguably in the form of his career, as he guided the blue, black and whites to the Premiership Final this past season. Spencer was appointed the Bath captaincy from Johann van Graan, and has stepped up to the role with great aplomb on the pitch. Spencer began the new Premiership calendar with a try in the win over Northampton, as Bath made amends in a re-match of the previous season finale.
With Spencer expected to step up in Mitchell’s absence, we predict to see Bristol’s Harry Randall take up the 21 jersey. Randall has been firing at his best form in recent weeks, with the scrum half a genuine contender to the nine shirt, that was previously held captive by Alex Mitchell. Randall surpasses Jack van Poortvliet to a seat on the England bench, despite the Leicester man’s best efforts for his own England comeback.
FRONT ROW
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Moving on to the front row, and Bristol Bears loose-head Ellis Genge will be chomping at the bit for a return to the Test match stage. Genge missed out on the Summer tour to Japan and New Zealand, as he sustained the most untimely calf injury. Genge was firmly in the plans for the Summer expedition, but picked up the injury in Bristol’s last match of the Premiership season to fall agonisingly close at the final hurdle.
The ‘Baby Rhino’ locked horns with highly rated tight-head prospect Afolabi Fasogbon, with the two sharing a nice post match show of respect. Fasogbon could well be on his way to the England squad, with a call-up for at least the England A squad expected to be in 20-year-old’s future.
The England captain needs no introduction, with Jamie George set to continue his command of Steve Borthwick’s side into this Autumn. Appointed to the role following the standing down of Owen Farrell, George has risen to the occasion and relished in every opportunity to take up the armband for the national side. George has been guiding his Saracens understudy Theo Dan into the Test match landscape, with the 23-year-old hooker predicted to maintain his control of the England 16 jersey, for another explosive replacement appearence against the All Blacks.
We have opted for Dan Cole to run out upon the tight-head, with his long time friend Joe Marler and Northampton newcomer Trevor Davison named as the replacement props. Cole has made it known that he is taking things ‘day by day’ in regards to his England career, but the 115-capped veteran has once again been named in Steve Borthwick’s plans.
With Stuart and Northampton’s Trevor Davison in support as the tight-head options for the upcoming Autumn Series. Cole looks set to extend this last run with another battle with the All Blacks, and Davison’s excellent recent form has earned him a run off the bench in our eyes.
