Steve Borthwick has insisted he is not taking a risk by selecting Henry Slade to face the All Blacks, revealing the No 8 Ben Earl is providing centre cover for the autumn international series curtain-raiser on Saturday.
Slade has been selected at outside-centre after making his first appearance of the season last Sunday following shoulder surgery, turning out for Exeter for 55 minutes after leaving England’s training camp in Girona early last week.
Borthwick has also handed a first start to Ben Spencer at scrum-half. The Bath No 9 has won a total of six caps since his debut five years ago, but gets his chance in the absence of Alex Mitchell. As was the case on two occasions during the summer, Borthwick has chosen to name his side two days earlier than planned, insisting he is “clear where everyone is physically”.
The head coach has also opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, a move designed to avoid the last‑quarter drop-off seen in both of the summer defeats against the All Blacks. That would appear to leave him light on cover for his centres Ollie Lawrence and Slade, but after experimenting with Earl in midfield for the last 15 minutes of the summer victory against Japan, Borthwick is adamant he is not rolling the dice.
“He’s as fit as I’ve ever seen him,” Borthwick said. “He’s in fantastic condition. He feels in great shape. He’s a player who is energised and full of energy. He’ll go really well on Saturday. We’ve talked about the positional versatility of other players, the likes of Ben Earl in the centres. That’s been in consideration for a long period now, to be in a position where we can go 6-2.”
Borthwick also revealed that World Rugby’s attempt to clampdown on “escorts” – players shielding teammates catching high balls – could be significant regarding his decision to pick Spencer, who edged out Harry Randall and Jack van Poortvliet for his first start.
Saturday 2 November
England v New Zealand, Twickenham, 3.10pm
Scotland v Fiji, Murrayfield, 5.40pm
Friday 8 November
Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm
Saturday 9 November
England v Australia, Twickenham, 3.10pm
Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, 5.40pm
France v Japan, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, 1.40pm
Sunday 10 November
Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield, 4.10pm
Friday 15 November
Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm
Saturday 16 November
Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield, 3.10pm
England v South Africa, Twickenham, 5.40pm
France v New Zealand, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Sunday 17 November
Italy v Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris, 1.40pm
Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, 4.10pm
Friday 22 November
France v Argentina, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Saturday 23 November
Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, 5.40pm
Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin, 8:10pm
Sunday 24 November
Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield, 1.40pm
England v Japan, Twickenham Stadium, 4.10pm
Saturday 30 November
Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
“I think there’s going to be a need to be adaptable on the pitch there at the weekend, but certainly that strength of Ben’s is a significant one,” Borthwick said. “But I would also say the speed-of-ball increase has been noticeable over the last period of time in Ben’s game as well.”
In the back row, Borthwick has handed a first start in 12 months to Tom Curry and a place on the bench to his twin, Ben, raising the possibility of the brothers appearing in the same England side for the first time. As a result Sam Underhill, who has started all nine England Tests since the World Cup, drops out of the matchday squad, just days after he emerged as the highest-profile omission from the group of 17 players awarded enhanced contracts.
Borthwick insisted Underhill’s omission was down to a lack of sharpness, having undergone ankle surgery during the summer, and with 14 of the “enhanced” players, and nine who are not, running out against the All Blacks, he was adamant the contracts play no part in his team selection.
“I’ve been really clear with all the players when I spoke to everybody individually and when I spoke to the team collectively, [I said] that I’ll pick what I believe the right 23 is to get the result of the weekend and that will be irrespective of whether it is enhanced or not. I pick the 23 I believe is the right 23.”
Ollie Chessum, meanwhile, will be sidelined for the entire autumn series after undergoing surgery on a knee injury picked up in Girona last week.
“We expect him to be back and available before the Six Nations,” Borthwick said. “[I’m] really disappointed for him, and also he’s an important part of this squad. You’ve seen that over the last couple of years, but the guy is really determined to get back better than ever.”
