Ben Spencer will make his first England start against New Zealand on Saturday, with Steve Borthwick opting to lay down the gauntlet to the All Blacks and name his side two days early.
Tom Curry has also been named in the starting lineup for the first time in 12 months while Henry Slade will line up at outside centre at Twickenham despite just one appearance this season.
Spencer has won six caps to date including two on the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand but all his appearances have come from the replacements bench. With Alex Mitchell sidelined with a neck injury, however, the Bath No9 gets the nod for England’s autumn internationals opener.
Elsewhere, Curry comes into the side at openside flanker with Chandler Cunningham-South keeping his placeat blindside. That means Sam Underhill, who had started England’s last nine matches, drops out of the 23 entirely with Ben Curry named as one of six forwards on the bench. It is the first time both Currys have been named in an England squad, raising the prospect of the twins taking the field together on the international stage for the first time.
Tom Curry also made three appearances as a replacement on the summer tour after battling back from a long-term hip injury that had threatened to force him into early retirement. The 26-year-old has not started for England since the World Cup bronze medal match a year ago but, having been named as one of the 17 players to be awarded enhanced contracts last week, is handed the No 7 jersey.
In a boost for Borthwick, George Ford returns to the squad on the replacements bench after missing the summer tour with an achilles injury, then suffering a major scare with a torn quad muscle. Initial fears were that he would be ruled out of the entire autumn campaign but scans revealed he did not need surgery and his rehab has progressed well enough to allow him to take his place on the bench.
Marcus Smith continues at fly-half with Fin Smith missing out on the 23. Slade is named in the side at outside centre, having proved his fitness in Exeter’s defeat by Harlequins last week. It was Slade’s first appearance of the season, having undergone shoulder surgery after the summer tour, but he is a vital cog in England’s defensive system and lines up in the No 13 jersey.
In total, there are three changes from England’s last outing, the second Test defeat by the All Blacks in July. Ellis Genge replaces Fin Baxter – who is on the bench – at loosehead prop while Jamie George captains the side from hooker and Will Stuart starts at tighthead. Maro Itoje and George Martin continue at lock while Ben Earl is again at No 8.
Among the backs, Ollie Lawrence is alongside Slade at centre while Tommy Freeman, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and George Furbank make up the back three. Theo Dan, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Alex Dombrandt and Harry Randall are also among the replacements.
after newsletter promotion
“We’re excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby,” said 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. The energy and passion of our supporters always gives the team an extra lift.”
