England are keen to name an unchanged starting lineup for the first Test against New Zealand as part of a plan to maximise the chances of a series win against the All Blacks. It means Marcus Smith is set to be retained at fly-half while the experiment of employing the No 8 Ben Earl as an additional centre later in games will also continue.
Following of his side’s 52-17 victory against Japan the head coach, Steve Borthwick, has reiterated his belief that greater consistency in selection and approach is crucial if England are to re-emerge as a serious global force. Assuming their flanker Chandler Cunningham-South recovers from a sore ankle that will be monitored this week, personnel changes will be few for the team’s series opener in Dunedin on Saturday week.
