England v New Zealand: Henry Slade and Ben Spencer to start

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England v New Zealand: Henry Slade and Ben Spencer to start

Centre Henry Slade will resume his starting role in England’s midfield against New Zealand on Saturday despite playing only 54 minutes of club rugby this season.

Slade had shoulder surgery in the summer and only made his comeback in Exeter’s defeat by Harlequins last weekend.

Elsewhere, Ben Spencer, whose previous six caps have all come as a replacement, comes in for the injured Alex Mitchell at scrum-half, with Bristol’s Harry Randall on the bench.

Tom Curry is included in the back row alongside Chandler Cunningham-South and Ben Earl, with brother Ben among six forwards replacements.

George Ford, fit again after a quad injury, is also on the bench, but there is no place for Sam Underhill, who started both England’s July defeats in New Zealand, in the matchday squad.

Ellis Genge, who missed the summer tour with a calf injury, is back at loose-head prop and named as one of four vice-captains to back up skipper Jamie George.

Second row and new Saracens capatain Maro Itoje, Ford and Earl complete the on-pitch leadership group.

“We’re excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby,” said head coach Steve 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.”

England drew 25-25 in their most recent Twickenham meeting with New Zealand in 2022.

Although England famously trumped the tournament favourites at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, they have to go back to 2012 for their last win over the All ******* on home soil.

England: Furbank; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Spencer; Genge, George (capt), Stuart; Itoje, Martin; Cunningham-South, T Curry, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford.

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