VOTE: George Ford or Fin Smith? Henry Arundell to start? Have your say on England v New Zealand selection calls for Steve Borthwick
Published 11/11/2025 at 10:32 GMT
England made it two wins from two in the 2025 Quilter Nations Series as they beat Fiji at Allianz Stadium. But up next for Steve Borthwick's side is their toughest test of the autumn as they face New Zealand. Who will line up in the starting XV for England against The All Blacks? Will George Ford be at No. 10? Will Tom Curry and Henry Arundell be included? Have your say on the key debates below.
Highlights: England recover to down flamboyant Fijians in cracker
Video credit: TNT Sports
England made it nine wins in a row with victory over Fiji, but they are set for their biggest test yet of the Quilter Nations Series when they face New Zealand on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The All Blacks have beaten Ireland and Scotland in the last fortnight and have won 10 of their last 11 meetings against England.
Ellis Genge has said England are "relishing" the challenge and expect a "battle of attrition" at Allianz Stadium.
With head coach Steve Borthwick likely to once again name his team early in the week, what selection decisions is he facing? And who could miss out in the starting XV?
Ford or Smith at fly-half?
In England’s opening match of the Quilter Nations Series against Australia, it was George Ford who got the nod at fly-half. Against Fiji it was Fin Smith.
So who starts in England’s biggest match of the autumn?
TNT Sports expert Danny Care said ahead of the Quilter Nations Series that fly-half was Borthwick's "toughest" selection decision.
"It just so happens in the fly-half department that you’ve got three genuinely world-class fly-halves in George Ford, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith that anyone would give their left arm to have in their squad," he said.
"Two of them every week are going to be disappointed, one of them is going to be really disappointed because he won’t make the 23."
Might Borthwick turn to the more experienced Ford against the All Blacks?
Wing and full-back questions
Tom Roebuck and Freddie Steward both missed England’s win over Fiji due to injuries.
In their absence, Marcus Smith started at full-back and Tommy Freeman moved from centre out to the wing.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was on the other wing while there was a bright, try-scoring cameo off the bench by Henry Arundell after he replaced Freeman.
But there will likely be changes against The All Blacks.
Roebuck and Steward are expected to be fit, Arundell has potentially put himself in contention, and Elliot Daly is back in training following his arm injury suffered on the Lions’ summer tour of Australia. So how will England line up?
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/08/image-2bafee28-78c7-4787-8b1d-8abff452d9f7-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Absolute wheels' from Arundell as winger outpaces Fiji defence to secure England win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Who starts at centre?
Against Fiji, England went with a centre pairing of Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence.
If Borthwick opts to make a change against New Zealand, he could bring Freeman back in at No. 13, a position he started in against Australia, with Lawrence at No. 12.
TNT Sports' Care has said that Freeman wants to play at No. 13, having won most of his caps on the wing, and that the selection is "a bit of a statement" from Borthwick.
"Combinations scream through the whole team... Fraser Dingwall and Freeman playing 12 and 13 I think is key," added Care.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/08/image-34bebf2e-beb3-4338-9910-1562060dedb3-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Lawrence on 'special' return to England duty after ruptured Achilles
Video credit: TNT Sports
Back-row decisions
Ben Earl has been named England’s player of the match in both of their Quilter Nations Series matches so far.
Against Australia he started at No. 8, and in the win over Fiji he was shifted to openside flanker as Chandler Cunningham-South got the start at No. 8.
Cunningham-South was one of England’s most impressive performers against Fiji so Borthwick could try and get him and Earl into the side again.
There’s also a case for Henry Pollock, who has come on at No. 8 in the first two matches.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/08/image-0e27513e-5bde-4387-b15b-d84748484fbf-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Earl insists Fiji win was 'one of the hardest games' of career
Video credit: TNT Sports
Will Curry start?
With two impactful displays as a substitute so far, Tom Curry is pushing for a start against New Zealand.
But might Borthwick opt to keep Curry in reserve as England look to pack a punch from the bench again?
If Curry does start, it could be at openside flanker, but Guy Pepper must be in the mix to make the XV after starting both games so far.
Bench impact
England’s two wins over Australia and Fiji have been powered by impacts from bench players.
Against Australia, Pollock scored a fine solo effort, while against Fiji, Jamie George, Arundell and Maro Itoje all recorded tries after coming on, helping England run away with the game.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/01/image-112d1370-30e1-473d-9b6b-78fbeafa1b25-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘A peroxide peach!’ – Pollock makes instant impact with ‘outstanding’ try
Video credit: TNT Sports
"We've seen in Test matches that the margins are so small," said Borthwick about England’s bench strength.
"It is about understanding the fitness of the players for going 80 minutes and the impact of the bench. That, alongside composure and resilience, are important components."
Will Borthwick look to pack a punch from the bench again against New Zealand, who finished well themselves to win against Scotland and Ireland?
---
Watch and stream every game of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement