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England make seven changes for All Blacks clash
Reuters • November 12th, 2025 6:00 am
Maro Itoje will return to lead England against New Zealand at Twickenham this weekend | Photo: AP
England have made seven changes to their XV as they seek to secure their first win over the All Blacks since 2019, and in so doing scupper New Zealand's chance of a grand slam northern hemisphere tour.
Maro Itoje, who had a rare bench appearance last week, returns to captain the team alongside Alex Coles in the second row, with Ollie Chessum out injured.
Tom Roebuck returns on the wing, George Ford is back at five-eighth and Sam Underhill is in on the flank for Saturday's international.
Roebuck missed last week's win over Fiji having starred in the opening victory over Australia and his aerial ability will be a huge boon for England in attack and defence.
Freddie Steward also missed Fiji with a finger injury but comes in at fullback, with Marcus Smith dropping to the bench.
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Tough-tackling Underhill comes in at openside flanker as Ben Earl, man of the match in England's last two games, moves back to No.8.
"I'm pleased with the progress we are making," as coach Steve Borthwick said after naming the team on Tuesday.
"New Zealand are one of the best teams in the world and facing them is always a special challenge."
The teams met three times last year, and though the All Blacks won all of them, the total points differential was 10 and England had late chances to win all three – not least last November when Ford hit a post with a late penalty and skewed a drop goal wide in a 24-22 Twickenham defeat.
With a draw in 2022, it means that England have won only two of the teams' last 21 meetings, the most recent being the 2019 World Cup semi-final in Japan.
New Zealand, who have beaten Ireland and Scotland in the first two games of their Grand Slam tour, will name their team on Thursday.
England side to play All Blacks
1. Fin Baxter, 2. Jamie George, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Alex Coles, 6. Guy Pepper, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl, 9. Alex Mitchell, 10. George Ford, 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 14. Tom Roebuck, 15. Freddie Steward.
Bench: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Chandler Cunningham-South, 20. Tom Curry, 21. Henry Pollock, 22. Ben Spencer, 23. Marcus Smith.
The All Blacks’ Northern Tour continues! Tune into The Rugby Run with Justin Marshall and Mark Watson for talkback, interviews and more post-match. This Sunday from midday on Sport Nation.
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