QBE Autumn Internationals: England v New Zealand preview

Dave Attwood: In the week his first child was born he replaces the injured Joe Launchbury in the England second row

England will gauge their standing in the world order a year out from the 2015 Rugby World Cup when New Zealand arrive at Twickenham for a mouth-watering clash on Saturday.

The world champions travel to Rugby HQ for a final meeting with England before they return to the UK for next year’s global showpiece; though rather unusually, this will be the fourth meeting between the sides this year.

England toured New Zealand during the summer for a three-Test series which ended in an All Blacks whitewash, but the tourists did not return entirely disheartened having pushed the world champions to the brink in 20-15 and 28-27 defeats.

In recent years England have eased into their autumn international series, but they must hit the ground running this time around with New Zealand, who remain the world’s top side despite losing to South Africa in October, in town.

The Springboks’ victory in The Rugby Championship brought down the curtain on a 22-match unbeaten streak for the All Blacks, but nobody will be getting carried away with the result as New Zealand were just a debatable penalty away from what would have been a landmark victory.

Steve Hansen’s All Blacks have only suffered two defeats in three years and they will be hoping to dent England’s World Cup aspirations and prove Twickenham is not an impenetrable fortress for Stuart Lancaster’s troops.

Memorable victory

New Zealand’s other defeat did come in London, with England claiming a remarkable 38-21 triumph, but only eight players that featured in the 2012 win are in Lancaster’s 23-man squad for Saturday, while the All Blacks retain 13 players from that day.

There may be a number of fresh faces in the England camp, but there is a great air of optimism surrounding the side assembled by Lancaster, who gives a debut to British Army Lance Corporal Semesa Rokoduguni.

The Fiji-born Bath winger and reconnaissance tank soldier makes his England bow on the right channel after an explosive start to the Aviva Premiership season.

Mike Brown retains the England full-back jersey and Jonny May lines up opposite Rokoduguni on the left wing, while Saracens centre Brad Barritt – scorer of one of three tries when England last beat the All Blacks – partners Bath’s Kyle Eastmond in midfield.

In what has become a mainstay of the England team Owen Farrell resumes his axis partnership with Danny Care, while the England pack has been with a raft of injuries.

The absence of Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole and Joe Launchbury through injury has prompted Lancaster to call on the services of Joe Marler, David Wilson and Dave Attwood.

Dylan Hartley starts at hooker and Attwood, who has had a busy week with his wife giving birth to their first child, joins Courtney Lawes in the second row, while captain Chris Robshaw joins Tom Wood and Billy Vunipola in a familiar back-row.

Experience in numbers

As much excitement as there may be surrounding England, All Blacks coach Hansen has named a side boasting a mind-boggling 1,029 caps – more than double the hosts’ tally - despite the absence of veteran fly-half Dan Carter.

Despite making his comeback from injury in a resounding 74-6 triumph over the USA at Soldier Field last weekend Carter misses out, meaning the returning Aaron Cruden – back following a suspension for missing a team flight – comes in to partner Aaron Smith in the half-backs.

Prolific winger Julian Savea, who has 29 tries in his 30 Test appearances, will be relishing lining against England having scored eight times in four meetings.

Savea joins Israel Dagg and Ben Smith in a potent back three, while Conrad Smith partners Sonny Bill Williams, who marked his return from rugby league with two scores in the 12-try thrashing of the USA, in the centres.

The All Black pack is, as ever, oozing power and experience with captain Richie McCaw teaming up with Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino in the back row, while Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles and Owen Franks stand in front of second-rowers Brodie Retallick and Samuel Whitelock.

England: 15 Mike Brown; 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Jonny May; 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Danny Care; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 David Wilson; 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Courtney Lawes; 6 Tom Wood, 7 Chris Robshaw (capt), 8 Billy Vunipola

Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 George Kruis, 20 Ben Morgan, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 George Ford, 23 Anthony Watson

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg; 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea; 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Wyatt Crockett, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks; 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Samuel Whitelock; 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 8 Kieran Read

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Liam Messam, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Ryan Crotty

England v New Zealand is live on Sky Sports 2 from 1.30pm on Saturday