Aisle be Back: All Blacks v England

• By Kevin McCarthy

Seasons shouldn’t be assessed on one match in theory – but throw that out this weekend.

England, Twickenham, and a Grand Slam in prospect (yes I know, don’t forget Wales).

It’s not a world cup knockout, but it isn’t far short of it.

It seems a constant but England – despite protestations to the contrary – are never short of pumping up their own tyres. Yes, they make attempts to play mind games by boosting the All Blacks and giving them a status the current squad have yet to earn.

But that’s probably more that they have justified inner belief in themselves and being able to stop New Zealand cold.

Of course, England gave Scott Robertson a mighty tough introduction to test rugby on these shores a year and a bit ago.

Since then, England have only got stronger – so given home advantage and on a longish winning streak, they will fancy themselves.

But as my economics lecturers used to say, ceteris paribus. Meaning, everything stays the same – except for one thing  changing. When in real life (and they did acknowledge real life) then there is no such thing as everything staying the same.

So, if you look at the All Black starting XV this weekend, and the team that played in the second test last year, just five players remain. All in the pack.

There are no backs who played in that 2024 game. Zero. The  comparison is exaggerated because of injuries then and now of course.

England have eight players this weekend who started in 2024 – also five in the pack, 3 in the backs.

For both teams, about the only common factor is the colour of the jerseys worn. And the coaches.

Both essentially have been reconfiguring, retooling, in that time. England were no slouches last year and seem ready to play multi-dimension football when it’s called for.

The All Blacks need no introduction to you – and fans would love to see the new team start to cement in.

What should we read into last week’s narrow victory over Scotland. Well, an almighty scare, from a Scots team that on a different day, would have nailed their holy grail.

It needs to be said that New Zealand can’t keep playing with 14 players for 30 minutes in a test and expect to survive.

And it needs to be said, Grand Slams as a rule are never easy.  The All Blacks this year could have nailed the Rugby Championship – but imploded against South Africa at home.

This is the second chance this year to nail something significant and turn the season ledger into the positive. The jury remains out and is known to be fickle!

Here are the teams this weekend – with the starting line-up survivors from the second test in bold.

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan

1 Fin Baxter, 2. Jamie George, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Maro Itoje (c), 5. Alex Coles, 6. Guy Pepper, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl, 9. Alex Mitchell, 10. George Ford (vice-captain), 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 14. Tom Roebuck, 15. Freddie Steward