Eddie Jones has made just one change to the England starting XV to face New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final on Saturday, with George Ford returning in place of Henry Slade.
That means Jonny May is fit to start on the left wing having limped off against Australia with a hamstring injury. Jack Nowell, the other hamstrung winger, does not make the 23, but New Zealand-born Willi Heinz – who missed training earlier this week with a mystery injury – is on the bench.
Notably Courtney Lawes keeps his place at lock ahead of the lineout specialist George Kruis, who remains on the bench. The All Blacks have bolstered their lineout options by bringing lock Scott Barrett in on the blindside, but that has not altered England’s course.
Mark Wilson comes onto the bench in place of Lewis Ludlam, perhaps with the lineout in mind. Tom Curry and Sam Underhill start on the flanks again, either side of Billy Vunipola, who will win his 50th cap.
“It is a great achievement for Billy to reach 50 Test matches for England and something that is very special for the team,” said Jones. “I know his family will be very proud of him and even more so to play the game alongside his brother Mako.”
Ford was England’s outstanding player in the pool stages, but was left out for Slade for the quarter-final against Australia. It worked a treat, with Slade assisting the second of May’s two tries, and Ford coming on to build on a strong position.
| England | vs | New Zealand |
| Daly | 15 | B Barrett |
| Watson | 14 | Reece |
| Tuilagi | 13 | Goodhue |
| Farrell (capt) | 12 | Lienert-Brown |
| May | 11 | Bridge |
| Ford | 10 | Mo’unga |
| Youngs | 9 | A Smith |
| M Vunipola | 1 | Moody |
| George | 2 | Taylor |
| Sinckler | 3 | Laulala |
| Itoje | 4 | Retallick |
| Lawes | 5 | Whitelock |
| Curry | 6 | S Barrett |
| Underhill | 7 | Savea |
| B Vunipola | 8 | Read (capt) |
| Replacements | ||
| Cowan-Dickie | 16 | Coles |
| Marler | 17 | Tuungafasi |
| Cole | 18 | Ta'avao |
| Kruis | 19 | Tuipulotu |
| Wilson | 20 | Cane |
| Heinz | 21 | Perenara |
| Slade | 22 | Williams |
| Joseph | 23 | J Barrett |
Ford, one of England’s key leaders, is back to start this week, perhaps because New Zealand do not possess a wrecking ball in the centres like Australia’s Samu Kerevi. Ford will be expected to put pressure on New Zealand with his superb kicking game.
“The squad has approached the game well with real maturity,” said Jones. “It has helped having players here who have been on the Lions tour and played against New Zealand.
"They have been involved in some of the biggest games in world rugby so this semi-final won’t phase them.
“New Zealand is a great team, they have an impressive winning record since the last Rugby World Cup.
"Like any good team, you have to take away time and space from them and you have to find areas you can pressure them.
"We believe we have identified a number of areas where we can do that.”
