Autumn Nations Series: Fin Smith out of England squad to face New Zealand as Ollie Chessum and Tommy Freeman miss out to injury
Fin Smith started at fly-half in 38-18 win over Fiji but misses out on the squad to face the All Blacks as George Ford returns to the XV; Ollie Chessum (foot) and Tommy Freeman (hamstring) both miss out after picking up injuries last weekend; New Zealand welcome back captain Scott Barrett
Thursday 13 November 2025 09:16, UK
England have made seven changes to their starting team for Saturday's Autumn Nations Series match against New Zealand, with Fin Smith missing out on the squad.
Captain Maro Itoje, George Ford, Jamie George, Freddie Steward, Tom Roebuck, Fin Baxter and Sam Underhill all come back into the starting XV after dropping out for the 38-18 victory over Fiji.
Fin Smith started at fly-half last weekend, but misses out on the squad to face the All Blacks altogether as Ford, who started the 25-7 win over Australia, returns.
Ollie Chessum (foot) and Tommy Freeman (hamstring) both miss out after picking up injuries against Fiji.
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England survived a scare against Fiji, coming from behind to make it two wins from two to start the Autumn Nations Series.
Fiji led by six points in the first half and scored three tries, while also having a second-half try ruled out - a score which would have brought things to a one-point game inside the final quarter.
"I'm pleased with the progress we are making," head coach Steve Borthwick said ahead of the match with New Zealand, as England look to secure a first Twickenham win over the All Blacks since 2012.
"Without doubt, New Zealand are one of the best teams in the world and facing them is always a special challenge.
"Playing in front of a packed-out Allianz Stadium means a huge amount to the players. The support we've had throughout this series has been outstanding, and we want it loud again on Saturday."
England round off their Autumn Nations Series campaign next weekend when they take on Argentina.
"The team is going to have to dig very, very deep [against New Zealand]," Borthwick added.
"This team is going to have to go into a place where there is pain and suffering because there will be this need to keep running.
"There's a need for this to be the most selfless team performance England have produced, because that's how good New Zealand are.
"The players are going to have to give absolutely everything of themselves. More and more now, you are seeing a team that plays so much with their hearts."
Ford: 'Pom squad' bench has been incredible for us
England fly-half George Ford speaking to Sky Sports from Pennyhill Park on Thursday:
"It's been incredible for us. Whether it's the Lions lads or whether it's the other lads coming on, what Steve's done brilliantly is, we understand this is a 23-man game.
"In fact, it's more than 23, it's 36 when you think about the lads who are unfortunate enough to miss out, because the way they prepare the lads in the week is enormous.
"But Test matches, more often than not, will come down to the last quarter of the game, so your bench impact, not only in terms of the intensity they bring physically but in terms of how calm they can be mentally as well and understanding what we need to do to win the game.
"I think we took a step forward there, but like anything, you're never nailed or cracked it. You need to make sure that you keep your feet on the ground and do it again.
"The last time an England team won at Twickenham was 2012 against New Zealand.
"We spoke about how there was no-one in the room who was involved in that win, so we've got an opportunity to do something great on Saturday.
"It's going to be a big part of our motivation, but we've just got to make sure we marry that up with executing our plan."
Skipper Barrett back for All Blacks but McKenzie stays on bench
New Zealand, meanwhile, are boosted by the return of captain Scott Barrett from injury as one of three changes to the side that beat Scotland 25-17.
Barrett missed the match at Murrayfield after sustaining a gash to his knee in the early stages of the All Blacks' victory over Ireland in Chicago at the start of November, but returns at lock with Josh Lord dropping to the bench.
Loose forward Simon Parker also returns, replacing Wallace Sititi, while Leicester Fainga'anuku has been shifted to the left wing to cover Caleb Clarke, who is out under concussion protocols. Billy Proctor takes over at outside centre.
And although Borthwick had hinted he expected Damian McKenzie to be brought into the All Blacks' side after the 30-year-old came off the bench to deliver the crucial late try against Scotland, head coach Scott Robertson keeps the super-sub in reserve for the start.
"Recent games against England have been incredibly close-fought, and both teams are coming off a run of wins, so we are expecting an epic clash on Saturday afternoon," said Robertson.
"We will embrace the atmosphere and the occasion."
England vs New Zealand: The teams
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Fin Baxter, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Alex Coles, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith.
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 5 Fabian Holland, 6 Simon Parker, 7 Ardie Savea, 8 Peter Lakai,
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.
England's Autumn Nations Series schedule
November 1
England 25-7 Australia - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
November 8
England 38-18 Fiji - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
November 15
England vs New Zealand - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (3.10pm)
November 23
England vs Argentina - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (4.10pm)
