Rugby England prop Fin Baxter makes first Test start vs. All Blacks

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England coach Steve Borthwick has made one injury-enforced change to his group for the second and last Check of the sequence in opposition to New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Prop Fin Baxter made his Check debut in final week’s 16-15 loss to the All Blacks in Dunedin as an early harm alternative for Joe Marler, and he has been awarded the No. 1 shirt for Saturday’s match with the skilled loose-head unavailable with a foot difficulty.

Bevan Rodd comes into the squad to again up Baxter on a bench additionally that includes tight-head Dan Coles, who is ready to win his one hundred and fifteenth cap and cross Jason Leonard to grow to be the second most-capped Englishman after Ben Youngs (127).

“Dan has proven nothing however dedication and willpower all through his profession, and reaching this milestone is a exceptional feat,” Borthwick mentioned in a information launch.

“He’s an excellent rugby participant, a beautiful position mannequin, and all of us stay up for sharing a memorable day with him on Saturday.”

Ben Earl, Sam Underhill and New Zealand-raised Chandler Cunningham-South will reprise the back-row that proved so efficient final week in an in any other case unchanged pack.

Marcus Smith was once more given the nod at fly-half regardless of lacking three photographs at purpose in Dunedin, with Henry Slade, who affords Borthwick another kicking choice, exterior him within the centres.

New Zealand boast an unbeaten file at Eden Park that goes again 50 Checks to 1994.

“Eden Park is a stadium full of historical past and with reminiscences of nice rugby encounters,” Borthwick mentioned.

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“We’re delighted to be taking part in there this Saturday in what I anticipate might be one other wonderful Check encounter.”

England: George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Chandler Cunningham-South, George Martin, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George (captain), Fin Baxter.

Replacements: Theo Dan, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme.

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