ENGLAND TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND AT EDEN PARK
England men’s head coach Steve Borthwick has named his team to play New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday 13th July for the second and final Test match of the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series (kick-off 8.05am BST live on Sky Sports).
There is just one change to the staring XV that was narrowly defeated in Dunedin last weekend with Fin Baxter added to the scrum.
The loosehead prop starts his first game for England having made his debut off the bench at the Forsyth Barr Stadium last Saturday and packs down in the front row with England captain Jamie George at hooker and Will Stuart at tighthead.
At lock, Maro Itoje continues his partnership with George Martin. An unchanged back row sees Sam Underhill at openside flanker, Chandler Cunningham-South on the blindside, and Ben Earl at No.8.
In the half back berths, scrum-half Alex Mitchell is once again paired with Marcus Smith at 10. The midfield sees Ollie Lawrence named at inside centre alongside Henry Slade at 13.
In the back three, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso starts on the right wing, with Tommy Freeman on the left and George Furbank selected at full-back to round off the starting line-up.
Dan Cole will win his 115th cap from the bench to become England’s second most capped men’s player of all time behind Ben Youngs (127 caps). The tighthead prop takes his place amongst the replacements alongside Bevan Rodd, who comes into the matchday 23, Theo Dan, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith and Ollie Sleightholme.
“Eden Park is a stadium packed with history and with memories of great rugby encounters,” said Borthwick.
“We are delighted to be playing there this Saturday in what I anticipate will be another excellent Test encounter.
“New Zealand has a formidable record at this venue, but with that comes the pressure of expectation. It will be interesting to see how New Zealand manages that expectation in front of a full house.
“I’d like to pay special tribute to Dan Cole who will become England’s second most capped men’s player of all time on the weekend.
“Dan has shown nothing but dedication and determination throughout his career, and reaching this milestone is a remarkable feat. He is a superb rugby player, a wonderful role model, and we all look forward to sharing a memorable day with him on Saturday.”
NEW ZEALAND v ENGLAND
Saturday 13th July 2024
Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 8.05am (BST)
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 64 caps) – vice-captain
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
11. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 34 caps)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
1. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 1 cap)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 92 caps) – captain
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 83 caps) – vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
6. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 6 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 37 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 32 caps) – vice-captain
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 13 caps)
17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 6 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 114 caps)
19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 52 caps)
21. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
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