CHRIS ASHTON AND Sam Underhill are set to start for England against New Zealand after coach Eddie Jones made three changes to his side for Saturday’s match against the All Blacks at Twickenham.
Ashton, who ended a four-year England exile when coming off the bench in last week’s 12-11 win at home to South Africa, is on the right wing in place of Jack Nowell. Underhill comes in at openside flanker after an ankle injury ruled out Tom Curry.
Ashton scored a try when England last beat the All Blacks in 2012.
Jones made one other change when announcing his starting XV on Thursday, with Ben Moon named at loosehead prop for what will be England’s first match against New Zealand in four years.
England (v New Zealand):
15. Elliot Daly
14. Chris Ashton
13. Henry Slade
12. Ben Te’o
11. Jonny May
10. Owen Farrell (co-captain)
9. Ben Youngs
8. Mark Wilson
7. Sam Underhill
6. Brad Shields
5. George Kruis
4. Maro Itoje
3. Kyle Sinckler
2. Dylan Hartley (co-captain)
1. Ben Moon
Replacements:
16. Jamie George
17. Alec Hepburn
18. Harry Williams
19. Charlie Ewels
20. Courtney Lawes
21. Danny Care
22. George Ford
23. Jack Nowell
Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:
He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)