England head coach Steve Borthwick names his England team to play New Zealand in their Autumn Nations Series opener at the Allianz Stadium.
Captaincy Alert! Jamie George is set to lead England into the fray, flanked by a formidable quartet of vice-captains: Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, and George Ford.
Front Row Firepower! George commands the hooker position, teaming up with Ellis Genge at loosehead prop and Will Stuart at tighthead. In the locks, Itoje forms a rock-solid partnership with George Martin.
Back Row Bonanza! Chandler Cunningham-South steps up on the blindside flank, while Tom Curry takes the openside. Ben Earl rounds out the back row at No. 8, ready to make his mark.
Half-Back Dynamic Duo! Scrum-half Ben Spencer links up with fly-half Marcus Smith, setting the stage for a thrilling playmaker showdown. In the midfield, Ollie Lawrence struts his stuff at inside centre, paired with Henry Slade at 13.
Back Three Blitz! On the wings, we have Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the right and Tommy Freeman bringing the heat on the left. George Furbank locks things down at full-back, completing an exciting starting lineup.
Bench Boost! The 6-2 split bench features Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, and George Ford. This squad is ready to unleash some serious firepower!
Scroll down for the England team to play New Zealand.
For the first time the Autumn Internationals will be available to watch on TNT Sports after owner Discovery+ secured the rights to the games. The matches are scheduled for 3.10pm, 5.40pm and 8.10pm on Saturdays, 8.10pm on Fridays and 1.40pm and 4.10pm on Sundays across multiple weekends.
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| Where | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham |
| When | Saturday 2 November |
| Kick-off | 15:10 |
| Where to watch | TNT Sports |
Borthwick said:
“We’re excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby,” said Borthwick.
“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.”
Previous encounters
2024: New Zealand 24-17 England
2024: New Zealand 16-15 England
2022: England 25-25 New Zealand
2019: England 19-7 New Zealand
2018: England 15-16 New Zealand
England team to play New Zealand:
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
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Seven HUGE Shocks as Steve Borthwick Drops Elite Contract List – Fans Can’t Believe These Big-Name Snubs!
While fan-favorite fly-halves George Ford, Marcus Smith, and Fin Smith secured their places, a few seasoned veterans and rising stars were unexpectedly left off the list.
Here’s a breakdown of the big names left in the cold:
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Known for his larger-than-life personality and notorious social media presence, Harlequins prop Joe Marler has been a stalwart in England’s front row for over a decade. Marler’s experience and resilience have made him a fan favorite, but he finds himself off the initial elite contract roster. Many believed his scrummaging expertise would secure him a spot, especially given the lack of tighthead props in the group. Is Borthwick looking toward the next generation of props? Time will tell.
2. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Leicester’s iconic tighthead Dan Cole, who boasts over 100 caps for England, also misses out. Cole’s scrummaging dominance is well-documented, and he’s a household name in English rugby circles. His exclusion raises eyebrows, as he’s been a vital presence in England’s set-piece. Perhaps the 36-year-old veteran’s omission signals an intent to groom younger props for the future.
3. Sam Underhill (Bath RFC)
Bath’s powerhouse back-rower Sam Underhill is another standout name left off the list. Renowned for his bone-crunching tackles and defensive work, Underhill’s omission has been met with surprise. His impact in England’s 2019 World Cup run was immense, and he’s still at the peak of his game, so his absence could indicate a shifting focus toward bolstering England’s attacking options.
