England change two for New Zealand opener

Joe Marler and Will Stuart have been selected to start in England’s front row for the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Props Marler and Stuart are the only changes to the side which beat Japan 52-17 in Tokyo, replacing Bevan Rodd and Dan Cole.

Stuart scored two tries as England scored 19 unanswered points in the last 10 minutes to draw 25-25 at Twickenham in the sides’ last meeting in November 2022.

Cole drops to the bench and is in line to win his 114th cap to equal Jason Leonard as England’s second most capped men’s player, while Fin Baxter and Ollie Sleightholme could win their first caps.

Alex Coles replaces the suspended Charlie Ewels among the substitutes with Ben Spencer coming onto the bench for Harry Randall.

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England coach Steve Borthwick said: “It doesn’t get more challenging than playing New Zealand at home, but it’s exactly where we want to be.

“We want to find out more about ourselves and test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.

“Test rugby is a game of fine margins, so our mindset is going to be very important on Saturday. We’ll need to be mentally strong, play a tactically smart game, and maintain our discipline.”

England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade,12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Ollie Sleightholme

England’s summer fixtures

Saturday June 22 – Japan 17-52 EnglandSaturday July 6 – vs New Zealand (8.05am), live on Sky SportsSaturday July 13 – vs New Zealand (8.05am), live on Sky Sports

Watch England against New Zealand live on Saturday from 7.30am on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event (8.05am kick-off). Stream rugby’s summer internationals in 2024 and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.