Ford returns to pull England strings against All Blacks

Sale fly-half George Ford was recalled to England’s starting line-up to face New Zealand at Twickenham as coach Steve Borthwick announced seven changes on Tuesday to the side that beat Fiji last weekend.

Ford, who pulled the strings in the win over Australia in the first of the Autumn internationals, sat out the 38-18 victory over Fiji as Fin Smith took charge. 

With Borthwick naming a 6-2 split on the bench, Fin Smith drops out of the matchday 23 while Marcus Smith drops down to the replacements to make way for Freddie Steward at full-back. 

Wing Tommy Freeman and second row Ollie Chessum have failed to recover from their respective hamstring and ankle injuries so miss out.

Tom Roebuck returns to fill the number 14 jersey while Alex Coles is the beneficiary of Chessum’s absence, forming a second row partnership alongside skipper Maro Itoje who also comes back into the side after starting on the bench against the Fijians.

Sam Underhill moves into the back row with Chandler Cunningham-South dropping to the bench. 

“I’m pleased with the progress we are making,” said Borthwick.   

“Without doubt, New Zealand are one of the best teams in the world and facing them is always a special challenge.”    

England round off their Autumn internationals when they face Argentina at Twickenham on November 23.   

England (15-1):

Freddie Steward; Tom Roebuck, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; George Ford, Alex Mitchell;Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper, Alex Coles, Maro Itoje (capt), Joe Heyes, Jamie George, Fin Baxter

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Marcus Smith