England and New Zealand go head-to-head in this Rugby World Cup semi-final clash. England are one step away from the Rugby World Cup final albeit a big one against the reigning champions New Zealand.
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Eddie Jones’ men produced a superb display to comfortably dispatch Australia in the quarter-finals, now they face their Oceanic rivals in the final four.
England haven’t beaten the All Blacks in seven attempts with their last victory coming in 2012, but they will still be confident going into the showdown.
England recalled George Ford at fly-half on Thursday for their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand with the Leicester stand-off adamant they were willing to “embrace the pressure” against the world champions.
“We come up against a team with strengths all over the field. We are going to have to be on our toes, alive in every moment of the game.”
England captain Owen Farrell, who started at fly-half against the Wallabies, moves to inside centre with Manu Tuilagi alongside him in midfield.
New Zealand have made one change to their side to play England in Saturday’s World Cup semi-final, a match coach Steve Hansen said could be one “for the ages”.
Scott Barrett was named at blindside flanker on Thursday to better combat England’s “kamikaze kids”, the sole change to the starting XV that beat Ireland 46-14 in last weekend’s quarter-final.
The flanker played the second half of that match and stood out, Sam Cane having started but replaced at half-time.
Cane moves to the bench in place of Matt Todd, who injured his shoulder against Ireland, while Barrett’s spot among the replacements was taken by lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
Teams
England (15-1)
Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry; Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Mark Wilson, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph
New Zealand (15-1)
Beauden Barrett; Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (capt), Ardie Savea, Scott Barrett; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Nepo Laulala, Cody Taylor, Joe Moody
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett