New Zealand v England LIVE : Build-Up And Updates As Borthwick’s Side Face The All Blacks In Summer Test
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England face New Zealand in Dunedin this morning in the first of two summer internationals against the All Blacks.
Steve Borthwick’s side enter the two-game series off the back of a 52-17 win in a warm-up game against Eddie Jones’ Japan team, with the Red Roses running in eight tries against their former head coach.
Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell and Chandler Cunningham-South were all impressive on the day, though a far sterner test awaits them as they take on the might of New Zealand on their home turf.
The All Blacks are a team in transition following the appointment of Scott Robertson as their new head coach, but this is still a unit that only fell to a narrow World Cup final defeat just nine months ago.
Steve Borthwick has stuck with the same side that edged past Italy on the first weekend of the Six Nations as he named his XV to face Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.
England, after coming from behind at half-time to beat the Azzurri 27-24 in Rome, welcome Wales to south-west London for what will be, as always, a highly anticipated clash.
Wales will be looking to carry momentum into the contest after recovering from 27-0 down to get within a point of Scotland at the end of a Six Nations classic at the Principality Stadium.
Warren Gatland has made seven changes to his starting line-up with experienced centre George North returning from injury to partner Nick Tompkins.
Back on the England bench is Ellis Genge, after the England front-rower and joint-vice captain withdrew from the squad in Rome with injury.
Borthwick has also given Immanuel Feyi-Waboso another chance to impress from the bench, the Cardiff-born winger having chosen to represent England over Wales.
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