Steve Borthwick’s England revolution will continue at breakneck speed against New Zealand on Saturday, even without scrum-half Alex Mitchell.
The absence of Northampton number 9 Mitchell from the England autumn squad due to a neck injury was a blow for Borthwick as he is crucial to the high pace at which he wants his national team to play.
But after naming Bath captain Ben Spencer to make his first England start at the age of 32 as Mitchell’s replacement on Tuesday, Borthwick hinted he will not change the approach despite the two being very different players.
England will hope to outplay the All Blacks and beat Scott Robertson’s team in their own game, something they failed to do in July when they fell to a series of 2-0 defeats.
‘Ben has been in the England team for a good period of time. I think it has been a great benefit. “Ben is a very experienced player,” Borthwick said.
Bath captain Ben Spencer earned his first England start at scrum-half on Saturday.
England coach Steve Borthwick (above) selected Spencer in place of the injured Alex Mitchell.
Scrum-half Alex Mitchell remains sidelined with injury for the autumn series clash against the All Blacks
“He’s played a lot of games in the Premiership. You saw how he played in the Premiership final. I thought he was absolutely exceptional.
“He’s a guy who knows how to perform on the biggest stages and I think that’s important.” He’s a calm guy. He has played in many important games. “We have a very competitive position there with so many good nines.”
Critically, when asked to analyze Spencer’s game, Borthwick added: “I would also say the speed of the ball’s rise has also been noticeable over the last period of time.”
Since gutting his team’s game plan and introducing a new attacking approach earlier this year, Borthwick has prioritized ball speed away from the attack as critical to success.
Spencer, who has been in excellent form for Bath over the last two seasons, has been urged to improve in this area and has done so to finally earn a starting role.
Spencer debuted for England in 2018 but has since been an intermittent figure at international level. Saturday’s first fall game will be just his seventh international.
Spencer has been selected ahead of Leicester’s Jack van Poortvliet and Harry Randall. Bristol’s Randall, who doesn’t exactly have a problem with a fast game, is on the bench.
Borthwick decided on Tuesday to name his team for New Zealand two days early after his players underwent a tough afternoon training session.
The selection of Spencer, who has played just 81 minutes of international rugby in the six years since his retirement, was the starter, along with Henry Slade’s in the centre.
Slade has been deemed fit to start in what is an established midfield alongside Ollie Lawrence despite having played just 54 minutes of Exeter club rugby this season following shoulder surgery. Borthwick denied that selecting Slade was a risk despite his lack of game time.
He is fitter than ever. It is in fantastic condition. He feels in great shape. He is a player with a lot of energy. He will do very well on Saturday,” Borthwick said of Slade. “He’s a really important player for us. He is an experienced Test match player, now more than ever.
Flyhalf George Ford is a replacement within Borthwick’s squad
Similarly, Harry Randall (left) is the only other substitute in the England squad.
Borthwick’s selection for New Zealand could be considered safe and unadventurous.
The team’s approach, however, in front of a sold-out Allianz Stadium, is probably the opposite.
Saturday’s first autumn match with the All Blacks will be the first time the country’s men’s team will play at home since the RFU officially renamed the venue formerly known as Twickenham as part of a £100m sponsorship deal.
“For some of these young players, I want this to be their home for the next decade,” Borthwick said. “We have a fantastic fan base. “I want the fans to see how desperate these youngsters are for England to do well and that is what we aim to see again on Saturday.”
England have won hearts and minds with their daring approach, which peaked with the victory over Ireland in this year’s Six Nations.
But after two narrow losses to New Zealand in the summer by a cumulative margin of just eight points, Borthwick’s players recognize that this autumn it is time for narrow defeats to turn into victories.
Borthwick has named six forwards on his bench for New Zealand in a bid to ensure his team does not collapse in the final quarter as they did in the two matches in July.
Randall and experienced flyhalf George Ford are the only back replacements.
Despite losing Leicester striker Ollie Chessum for the entire autumn campaign after undergoing knee surgery, Borthwick has been able to name a strong and powerful squad.
The return of prop Ellis Genge, who missed the summer tour, is a timely boost.
However, one wonders whether England will be able to cope with the power of New Zealand. The All Blacks might be rebuilding under Robertson, but their front row is fearsome.
Returning prop Ellis Genge provides timely boost ahead of Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks
England rugby head coach Steve Borthwick named his team ahead of schedule
The southern hemisphere giants will name their squad for England tomorrow (THURSDAY) but they are coming to the end of their first season under Robertson and will have no shortage of match fitness.
By contrast, five of England’s 23 – Slade, Chandler Cunningham-South, Dan Cole, Alex Dombrandt and Ford – have not seen regular Premiership action in the run-up to November’s Tests. Borthwick is confident that won’t matter.
“We hope he will be back and available before the Six Nations,” he said of Chessum, who was expected to start at No.6 and has been replaced by Cunningham-South.
‘I’m really disappointed for him. “He is really determined to come back better than ever.”
England will face New Zealand (Kick-off 3.10pm, Saturday. Allianz Stadium): George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman; Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer; Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Ben Earl.
Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford