England’s Baxter gets first test start against All Blacks

 

 

England coach Steve Borthwick has made one injury-enforced change to his team for the second and final test of the series against New Zealand at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

Prop Fin Baxter made his test debut in last week’s 16-15 loss in Dunedin as an early injury replacement for Joe Marler and has been awarded the No 1 shirt for Saturday’s match with the experienced loosehead unavailable with the foot issue.

Bevan Rodd comes into the squad to back up Baxter on a bench also featuring tighthead Dan Coles, who is set to win his 115th cap and pass Jason Leonard to become the second most-capped Englishman after Ben Youngs (127).

“Dan has shown nothing but dedication and determination throughout his career, and reaching this milestone is a remarkable feat,” Borthwick said in a news release.

“He is a superb rugby player, a wonderful role model, and we all look forward to sharing a memorable day with him on Saturday.”

Ben Earl, Sam Underhill and New Zealand-raised Chandler Cunningham-South will reprise the back row challenge that proved so effective last week in an otherwise unchanged pack.

Marcus Smith was again given the nod at flyhalf despite missing three shots at goal in Dunedin with Henry Slade, who offers Borthwick alternate kicking option, outside him in the centres.

New Zealand boast an unbeaten record at Eden Park that goes back 50 tests to 1994.

“Eden Park is a stadium packed with history and with memories of great rugby encounters,” said Borthwick.

“We are delighted to be playing there this Saturday in what I anticipate will be another excellent test encounter.”

 

Supersport

 

Reuters