Beauden Barrett to start at fly-half for New Zealand against England at Twickenham

Beauden Barrett, with 131 appearances for the All Blacks, is the most-capped player in the New Zealand squad. The Autumn Nations Series match between England and New Zealand is scheduled for Saturday, 2 November, at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with a kick-off time of 15:10 GMT. Live commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, and live text commentary can be followed on the BBC Sport website and app. For New Zealand’s upcoming match against England on Saturday, Beauden Barrett has been selected as the starting fly-half, taking precedence over Damian McKenzie. Earlier this year, Barrett made only one start at fly-half in the Rugby Championship, as McKenzie led the team from the stand-off position for the initial five games. Head coach Scott Robertson commented on the selection, stating, “Beauden is experienced, he understands what it is with the northern tours. Out of his hands, off his foot or game management – he is very instinctive in the way he plays, but also knows how to get you around the field. So we believe he is the best one for this week.” Barrett, who has twice been named World Player of the Year, spent the beginning of this year playing for the Japanese team Toyota Verblitz, a move that was part of a sabbatical arrangement with New Zealand Rugby. In other team news, Beauden’s brother, Jordie Barrett, returns from injury to join the midfield, replacing Anton Lienert-Brown. Loose-head prop Tamaiti Williams is among only three players to retain their positions from the recent warm-up victory against Japan. Head coach Robertson confirmed that first-choice prop Ethan de Groot was unavailable for selection due to not meeting “internal standards,” though he did not specify if the 26-year-old’s exclusion was related to on-field or off-field conduct. Cortez Ratima will start at scrum-half, with Cam Roigard positioned on the bench alongside McKenzie. Second row Scott Barrett will captain the team, including his two brothers. Sam Cane and Ardie Savea will be joined in the back row by Wallace Sititi, who is set to earn his seventh cap. The New Zealand squad is as follows: Jordan; Tele’a, Ioane, J Barrett, Clarke; B Barrett, Ratima; Williams, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Vaa’i, Sititi, Cane, Savea. Replacements include: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Finau, Roigard, Lienart-Brown, McKenzie. England announced their team on Tuesday, featuring Henry Slade in the centres despite his limited recent game time. Their bench comprises six forward options and only two backs. The two teams previously faced each other twice during the summer, with New Zealand narrowly winning both Tests. However, New Zealand’s coach Robertson suggests that those series victories will have minimal influence on this weekend’s match. The 50-year-old coach, who assumed his role after last year’s Rugby World Cup, stated, “While we have met England twice this year already, four months is a long time in rugby and we know that both teams are different to the ones that met in New Zealand in July.” New Zealand concluded the Rugby Championship in second place, following a 38-30 loss to Argentina in Wellington and subsequent consecutive defeats away to the world champions South Africa.