ENGLAND are kicking off their Autumn Internationals campaign with a mouthwatering clash against New Zealand.
And the match kicks off amid huge controversy after Red Rose ace Joe Marler said the All Blacks’ traditional Haka “needs binning”.
The All Blacks are in town for England’s huge opener[/caption]
Marler, claimed the pre-game ceremonial dance is “ridiculous” and should be axed.
He wrote on X last Tuesday: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.
“It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”
Following responses, Marler temporarily deactivated his X account.
The Harlequins star went on to return on Wednesday morning, posting: “Context is everything. Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses.”
Marler has been recovering from a broken foot sustained in the summer and will not feature in Saturday’s first Autumn International.
Joe Marler stoked the flames with his comments on the haka[/caption]
When is England vs New Zealand?
England vs New Zealand takes place on Saturday, November 2.
The match kicks off at 3.10pm.
Twickenham plays host to the crunch tie.
How can I watch England vs New Zealand?
England vs New Zealand will be broadcast on the Autumn Internationals’ new home of TNT Sports.
TNT Sports 2 will have build up from 2pm before the action moves to TNT Sports 1 for the match from 3pm.
The game will be live streamed on Discovery+ for subscribers.
Henry Slade is starting for England[/caption]
What is the team news?
Henry Slade starts at centre for England against New Zealand despite playing only 54 minutes of club rugby this season.
Slade only returned for Harlequins last weekend after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer.
England coach Steve Borthwick said: “Sladey is a really important player for us. He’s an experienced Test match player and he’s in fantastic condition.
“With the shoulder surgery he’s had, he’s been able to be run. He’s as fit as I’ve ever seen him.
“He feels in great shape. He’s a player who is energised and he’ll go really well on Saturday.”
England XV: Furbank; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Spencer; Genge, George (capt), Stuart; Itoje, Martin; Cunningham-South, T Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford.
New Zealand XV: Jordan; Tele’a, Ioane, J Barrett, Clarke; B Barrett, Ratima; Williams, Taylor, Lomax; S Barrett (capt), Vaa’i; Sititi, Cane, Savea
Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Finau, Roigard, Lienert-Brown, McKenzie
Rugby Autumn Internationals: Kick-off times, TV channels and fixtures
Saturday, November 2
- 3.10pm: England vs New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium (KO on TNT Sports 1, build-up on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+)
- 5.40pm: Scotland vs Fiji, Murrayfield (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
Friday, November 8
- 8.10pm: Ireland vs New Zealand, Aviva Stadium (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
Saturday, November 9
- 3.10pm: England vs Australia, Twickenham (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
- 5.40pm: Italy vs Argentina, Stadio Friuli (TNT Sports 2 and discovery+)
- 8.10pm: France vs Japan, Stade de France (TNT Sports 2 and discovery+)
Sunday, November 10
- 1.40pm: Wales vs Fiji, Principality Stadium (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
- 4.10pm: Scotland vs South Africa, Murrayfield (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
Friday, November 15
- 8.10pm: Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium (TNT Sports TBC and discovery+)
Saturday, November 16
- 3.10pm: Scotland vs Portugal, Murrayfield (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
- 5.40pm: England vs South Africa, Twickenham (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
- 8.10pm: France vs New Zealand, Stade de France (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
Sunday, November 17
- 1.40pm: Italy vs Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
- 4.10pm: Wales vs Australia, Principality Stadium (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
Friday, November 22
- 8.10pm: France vs Argentina, Stade de France (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
Saturday, November 23
- 3.10pm: Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium (TNT Sports 2 and discovery+)
- 5.40pm: Wales vs South Africa, Principality Stadium (TNT Sports 2 and discovery+)
- 8.10pm: Italy vs New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin (TNT Sports 2 and discovery+)
Sunday, November 24
- 1.40pm: Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
- 4.10pm: England vs Japan, Twickenham (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
Saturday, November 30
- 3.10pm: Ireland vs Australia, Aviva Stadium (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
