England bank on playmaker Slade for New Zealand clash

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

England bank on playmaker Slade for New Zealand clash

Henry Slade has convinced England boss Steve Borthwick he is ready to take on New Zealand after being picked at outside centre for Saturday’s clash at the Allianz Stadium.

Slade made his first appearance of the season in Exeter’s defeat by Harlequins on Sunday having undergone shoulder surgery, completing 55 minutes before being withdrawn.

That run out is deemed enough to give him the nod ahead of the in-form Alex Lozowski, with the Chiefs playmaker an influential figure in the team’s aggressive ‘blitz’ defensive system.

The three-way battle at halfback has been won by Ben Spencer, who will make his first start for England having won all six previous caps in a five-year Test career off the bench.

Harry Randall edges Jack van Poortvliet as back-up cover on a bench that features a six-two split between forwards and backs, with George Ford the replacement five-eighth.

Chandler Cunningham-South is present at blindside flanker after Ollie Chessum was ruled out against the All ******* – and most likely the entire autumn programme – because of a knee problem.

Cunningham-South has enjoyed a stellar debut year for England and is preferred for the back row vacancy ahead of the more experienced Sam Underhill, who is also overlooked for a substitute role.

Ellis Genge and Will Stuart are the starting props who will be rotated out for Fin Baxter and Dan Cole early in the second half.

Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt are the replacement back five forwards.

England were edged by the All ******* in two hard-fought Tests in July and are seeking a first Twickenham victory over Saturday’s visitors since 2012.

England’s autumn campaign includes a visit from Australia on November 9.

England: G Furbank; I Feyi-Waboso, H Slade, O Lawrence, T Freeman; M Smith, B Spencer; E Genge, J George (capt), W Stuart, M Itoje, G Martin, C Cunningham-South, T Curry, B Earl.

Replacements: T Dan, F Baxter, D Cole, N Isiekwe, B Curry, A Dombrand, H Randall, G Ford.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#England #bank #playmaker #Slade #Zealand #clash

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up