England names Ford and Steward to face New Zealand in Twickenham showdown

England names Ford and Steward to face New Zealand in Twickenham showdown

England head coach Steve Borthwick has recalled George Ford at fly-half and Freddie Steward at full-back for Saturday's high-stakes clash against New Zealand at Twickenham, as the hosts seek to extend their nine-match winning streak.

The All Blacks, ranked second in the world, arrive in London after a narrow 25-17 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield, while England enters the match on the back of consecutive wins over Australia and Fiji. Kick-off is set for 15:10 GMT, with live coverage available on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport app.

Key selections and tactical adjustments

Ford, 32, returns to the starting lineup after steering England to a summer tour sweep of the Americas, including back-to-back wins over Argentina. His experience and composure under pressure-evidenced by his performance in the 25-7 victory over Australia two weeks ago-earned him the nod over Fin Smith, who had been the preferred choice during the Six Nations earlier this year.

Tom Roebuck, recovered from an ankle injury, replaces the sidelined Tommy Freeman on the right wing, while Sam Underhill starts at open-side flanker alongside Guy Pepper and Ben Earl in the back row. The second row sees Alex Coles partner captain Maro Itoje, filling in for the injured Ollie Chessum. Fin Baxter, Jamie George, and Joe Heyes form the front row.

Notably absent from the matchday 23 are Elliot Daly, still regaining match fitness after a summer arm injury, and Henry Arundell, who scored in England's 25-7 win over Fiji last weekend. Daly's omission reflects a cautious approach to his recovery, while Arundell's exclusion suggests Borthwick's preference for Roebuck's defensive solidity.

"This is another huge test for us this weekend. New Zealand are second in the world, they have been together five months, and have a spine of phenomenally experienced players-Codie Taylor, Ardie Savea, Beauden Barrett-who have played so much together."

Steve Borthwick, England head coach

Bench strength and late-game strategy

Borthwick has again opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, prioritizing forward reinforcements. Tom Curry, Chandler Cunningham-South, and Henry Pollock provide back-row depth, while British and Irish Lions Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, and Will Stuart offer front-row firepower. Marcus Smith, capable of covering both fly-half and full-back, is the sole backline replacement.

The strategy mirrors England's recent approach: a blend of youth and experience in the starting XV, with seasoned campaigners-dubbed the 'Pom Squad'-deployed in the final quarter to close out matches. This tactic proved decisive in late surges against Australia and Fiji, though New Zealand's resilience, demonstrated in their hard-fought win over Scotland, will pose a sterner test.

"The squad's building that collaborative competition. Each time those players come onto the field, they've added impact, and the team's looked very strong in the last quarter."

Steve Borthwick

Historical context and fine margins

England's recent record against the All Blacks is stark: just one victory in their last 11 encounters-a 19-7 triumph in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. Yet the margins have been razor-thin. Beyond a 25-25 draw at Twickenham in 2022, England's average losing margin across the other nine matches is under six points.

Ford's role in those narrow defeats has been pivotal. In last year's 24-22 loss, he struck the post with a 78th-minute penalty before missing a drop-goal attempt in the dying seconds-a moment that underscored the fine lines separating victory from defeat. His summer form, however, has reaffirmed his ability to thrive in high-pressure scenarios.

Prop continuity and injury management

The front row of Baxter, George, and Heyes-who combined for 16 caps-retains its place after impressing against Argentina's physical scrum in July. Their continuity contrasts with the rotational approach in the backline, where injuries to Freeman and Daly have forced adjustments. Tom Curry's return to full fitness after a string of setbacks adds further depth to the replacements, while Pollock's versatility provides backline cover if needed.

Twickenham's role and fan impact

Borthwick has called on England's supporters to create an intimidating atmosphere, urging Allianz Stadium to be "the loudest it has ever been." The coach emphasized the crowd's influence, noting how player performances elevate when backed by vocal home support.

"When the crowd are behind this team, it is phenomenal. The players talk about it-the effect it has."

Steve Borthwick

The match marks England's final home fixture of the autumn series, with the squad aiming to carry momentum into the 2025 Six Nations. A win over the All Blacks would not only extend their winning streak to 10 but also serve as a statement ahead of next year's global tournaments.