Harlequins substitute Fin Baxter will make his first start for England when he comes off the bench to replace the injured Joe Marler against New Zealand on Saturday. England needed a win to equalize the two-Test series at a venue where the All Blacks have not lost in 30 years.
As well as backing 22-year-old Baxter and promoting Sale’s Bevan Roode to Matchday 23, England head coach Steve Borthwick has retained Dunedin’s 16-year-old from last weekend. -15 players defeated. Dan Cole will start again as a substitute and is expected to overtake Jason Leonard as England’s most capped men’s forward when he makes his 115th appearance for England.
Only Ben Youngs, with 127 caps for his country, is ahead of Cole and Borthwick says the Leicester City man is more than deserving of the honour.
“I would like to pay special tribute to Dan Cole, who will become the second most capped men’s player in England’s history at the weekend,” Borthwick said. “Dan has shown nothing but dedication and determination throughout his career and to reach this milestone is a fantastic feat. He is a fantastic rugby player and a fantastic role model and we are all looking forward to Saturday Share an unforgettable day with him.
Borthwick also said England would not be intimidated by New Zealand’s impressive record at Eden Park over the years.
“Eden Park is a stadium steeped in history and memories of great rugby games,” Borthwick said. “New Zealand have a formidable record at this venue, but with that comes the pressure of expectations. It will be interesting to see how New Zealand live up to that expectation in front of a full house.
The addition of scrum-half Finlay Christie is the only change to the All Blacks’ starting XV, with Cortez Ratima recovering from a leg injury suffered by TJ Perenara at the weekend Later, he will come off the bench to make his Test debut. It will be Christie’s first Test match since the All Blacks beat Australia 23-20 in Dunedin in August 2023.
The All Blacks’ 48-match unbeaten streak at Eden Park dates back to 1994, with 46 wins and two draws. “This is a very special venue for the All Blacks,” New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson said. “We will go there on Saturday to win the series against England.”
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New Zealand starting XV: Prophet; Rees, R John, J Barrett, Telia; Mackenzie, Christie; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (captain), Tuipulotu, Finau, Papali’i, Savea.
Subs: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Va’i, Jacobson, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, B Barrett.
England starting XV: Firbank; Fay-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; Smith, Mitchell; Baxter, George (captain), Cole, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham, Ang Dehill, Earl.
Substitutes: Dan, Lord, Stewart, Coles, Curry, B. Spencer, F. Smith, Slaterholme.
