England name two No 8s in Sam Simmonds and Billy Vunipola for clash with New Zealand

Both players are specialist number eights with Vunipola filling the position for his entire career

Duncan Bech
Thursday 17 November 2022 07:05 EST
Comments
Sam Simmonds will start alongside Billy Vunipola against New Zealand
Sam Simmonds will start alongside Billy Vunipola against New Zealand (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

England have taken the unexpected step of naming two number eights in their back row for Saturday's headline clash of the autumn against New Zealand.

Sam Simmonds and Billy Vunipola will offer Eddie Jones' men explosive ball carrying options in a bold selection that was first seen when they were paired together at the end of last Saturday's thumping victory over Japan.

Both players are specialist number eights with Vunipola filling the position for his entire career and Simmonds' last appearance at flanker coming in the Premiership five years ago.

Jones has made three changes in personnel and one positional switch to the side that crushed Japan 52-13, a result that nudged England's autumn back on track having lost the opener against Argentina.

Vunipola’s return to the back row sees Maro Itoje shift from blindside flanker to lock with Simmonds filling the vacant jersey at six.

There are two changes behind the scrum with Jack Nowell recovering from an abdominal injury to return to the right wing and Manu Tuilagi displaces Guy Porter at outside centre.

Owen Farrell will become the third England player to reach 100 caps when he leads the team out in the penultimate Test of the autumn.

“This fixture doesn’t come around too often and these are the games that players remember in their careers,” Jones said. “New Zealand have had the upper hand over the years, but it’s been more balanced in recent times and the players have a chance to play their part in history.

“We’ve had a great week preparing for the game and the team is ready to go at them. We’re really pleased for Owen that he is reaching such a significant and special milestone. He is an excellent player and competitor and he is deserving of every cap."

England team to play New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series at Twickenham on Saturday:

F Steward (Leicester Tigers); J Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), M Tuilagi (Sale Sharks), O Farrell (Saracens, captain), J May (Gloucester Rugby); M Smith (Harlequins), J van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers); E Genge (Bristol Bears), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), K Sinckler (Bristol Bears), M Itoje (Saracens), J Hill (Sale Sharks), S Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), T Curry (Sale Sharks), B Vunipola (Saracens).

Replacements: J George (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), D Ribbans (Northampton Saints), J Willis (unattached), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers), G Porter (Leicester Tigers), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in