England prepare for one of the standout fixtures of the Quilter Nations Series, hosting New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. Head coach Steve Borthwick has refreshed his line-up, aiming to extend England’s impressive winning run.
George Ford returns at fly-half to lead the attack, while Freddie Steward reclaims the full-back position. Tom Roebuck, fit again after an ankle injury, replaces Tommy Freeman on the wing. In the forwards, Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper, and Ben Earl form a dynamic back row, while Alex Coles partners captain Maro Itoje in the second row to cover the absence of Ollie Chessum.
Borthwick continues with a six–two bench split, prioritising power and versatility. Proven names such as Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, and Will Stuart strengthen the replacements, while Marcus Smith covers multiple backline roles. Elliot Daly, still short of full fitness, is left out to continue his recovery.
The England coach acknowledged the scale of the task, describing New Zealand as a “phenomenally experienced” team with a strong spine featuring Codie Taylor, Ardie Savea, and Beauden Barrett. He has urged supporters to make Twickenham as loud as possible to inspire his players in what he calls a defining test of their progress.
For Ford, the match carries extra significance after last year’s narrow 24–22 defeat to the All Blacks, when he missed a late chance to win it. Since then, he has rediscovered form, guiding England to a successful summer tour and a convincing victory over Australia.
England arrive on a nine-match winning streak, their best since 2017. Borthwick highlights the growing depth and competition within his squad, noting how replacements have consistently lifted performances in the final stages. Against a seasoned New Zealand side, England aim to harness that momentum and prove their development against elite opposition.