Combined England and All Blacks XV ahead of Autumn Internationals match

Here is a combined XV of the two sides ahead of the big game.

This one was pretty straightforward in the sense that it was always going to be an All Black, with either Damian McKenzie or Jordan the contenders due to England's lack of a consistent fullback. Jordan tends to start when both are fit so gets the nod here, but DMac can make a strong case. Jordan is one of the best in the world in the position and has an outstanding try-scoring rate.

Potentially out with an injury for Saturday's game, Freeman is still a top winger and one that would fit into most teams globally. His 2025 has been very strong and earned him a spot on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, following a superb campaign for England and Northampton Saints, including a first-half hat-trick and Man of the Match during Saints' 37–34 victory over Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-finals.

13 isn't a massively strong position for either nation. Ollie Lawrence is yet to show his pre-injury form, and aside form him England lack a bit of depth at outside centre, even shifting Freeman there in recent times. Tupaea is a strong runner and a physical presence here.

Barrett is one of the best in the world in his position, and add to that inside centre being a weak spot for England, and it means that he slots in without much fuss. Seemingly at the peak of his powers at 28 years old, he had a very good season for Leinster on his sabbatical from the All Blacks, and is back and better than ever.

Such an exciting winger, Feyi-Waboso mixes sheer pace and power with some very good game intelligence, meaning that he knows where to find space, but is also able to exploit it. Despite missing a large portion of last season with injury, he has started this campaign with a bang for both club and country.

The battle between Ford and Beauden Barrett for this position was incredibly hard to call. The two are separated by a knife edge, with Ford just about edging it for his immense leadership qualities and game IQ, that have led many to describe him as like being a coach on the field. Ford is such a quality player and has been unlucky his whole career with injuries at the wrong time but at his best he is undefendable.

Roigard is just a better player than Alex Mitchell, simple. Only 24, the All Blacks scrum-half is already a world-class player and things look to be going one way for him, and he is destined for the very top, if he isn't there already.

Recent England captain Genge has developed into a world-class loosehead who mixes strong scrummaging with an impact around the field that no other player in either side can emulate.

This was hard to pick. Taylor just about edges it over Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie by the fact that he was part of the All Blacks 2015 World Cup winning squad, which puts him on a pedestal above the others.

Newell is a tighthead based on pure power, with high work rate and mobility around the field. Asher Opoku-Fordjour may take this spot in years to come, however for now Newell gets in over Will Stuart.

The two captains are both locks, making the second row easy to pick. Itoje is the face of English rugby at the moment and such a hard worker, who is a natural-born leader that delivers time and time again on the pitch.

All Blacks captain Barrett was a straightforward pick, and few players in the world can come close to him and Itoje.

Because of the strength of the second row, England star Chessum moves to blindside, where he is more than capable of delivering. The towering forward brings a huge amount of physicality on the pitch, plus has strong ball-carrying and a high work rate.

There was a lot of quality to choose from at openside and No.8, and one position picked itself. Earl gets in at seven over Tom Curry and Sam Underhill by virtue of current form. The Player of the Match in England's first two games of the autumn so far, he is establishing himself as a key member of Steve Borthwick's side.

The position that picked itself, the only debate was where Savea would play. An absolutely top player, Savea was named the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year after leading Moana Pasifika to a seventh-place finish, adding to a long list of accolades that includes being crowned the 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year.