Despite clocking only 54 minutes of club action this season, Henry Slade is back and ready to anchor England’s midfield against New Zealand on Saturday.
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Steve Borthwick dropped the squad news two days early, raising eyebrows and building hype for the massive showdown.
Slade, who had shoulder surgery in the summer, only just made his comeback in Exeter Chief’s loss to Harlequins last weekend. But England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, is confident Slade’s got what it takes to bring the heat.
“We’re excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby,” Borthwick said.
“We’ll need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity from the first whistle to the final moment.”
And there’s no place like home! With just two games at Allianz Stadium out of their last 15, England’s thrilled to be back in front of their fans.
“Vice-Captains Galore?” England Fans Bewildered by Borthwick’s Quad-Captain Choice
While most fans are buzzing about the lineup, Borthwick’s bold decision to name FOUR vice-captains had social media buzzing with banter.
“Reckon they need more vice-captains,” one fan joked.
Another quipped, “I like the cut of Borthwick’s jib. But what’s with this nonsense of four vice-captains?”
And the laughs didn’t stop there. “Probably a bit short on vice-captains,” one said, while another threw in, “How many vice-captains does it take to change a light bulb?”
Previous encounters
2024: New Zealand 24-17 England
2024: New Zealand 16-15 England
2022: England 25-25 New Zealand
2019: England 19-7 New Zealand
2018: England 15-16 New Zealand
England team to play New Zealand:
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 65 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
11. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 35 caps)
9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 62 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 93 caps) – captain
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 41 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 84 caps) – vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
6. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 7 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 33 caps) – vice-captain
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 14 caps)
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 2 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps)
19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
21. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 17 caps)
22. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 7 caps)
23. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 96 caps) – vice captain
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Seven HUGE Shocks as Steve Borthwick Drops Elite Contract List – Fans Can’t Believe These Big-Name Snubs!
While fan-favorite fly-halves George Ford, Marcus Smith, and Fin Smith secured their places, a few seasoned veterans and rising stars were unexpectedly left off the list.
Here’s a breakdown of the big names left in the cold:
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Known for his larger-than-life personality and notorious social media presence, Harlequins prop Joe Marler has been a stalwart in England’s front row for over a decade. Marler’s experience and resilience have made him a fan favorite, but he finds himself off the initial elite contract roster. Many believed his scrummaging expertise would secure him a spot, especially given the lack of tighthead props in the group. Is Borthwick looking toward the next generation of props? Time will tell.
2. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Leicester’s iconic tighthead Dan Cole, who boasts over 100 caps for England, also misses out. Cole’s scrummaging dominance is well-documented, and he’s a household name in English rugby circles. His exclusion raises eyebrows, as he’s been a vital presence in England’s set-piece. Perhaps the 36-year-old veteran’s omission signals an intent to groom younger props for the future.
3. Sam Underhill (Bath RFC)
Bath’s powerhouse back-rower Sam Underhill is another standout name left off the list. Renowned for his bone-crunching tackles and defensive work, Underhill’s omission has been met with surprise. His impact in England’s 2019 World Cup run was immense, and he’s still at the peak of his game, so his absence could indicate a shifting focus toward bolstering England’s attacking options.
