Scott Barrett returns as New Zealand take on England

Barrett needed 12 stitches to repair the cut sustained in the victory over Ireland in Chicago on November 1 and was absent for last weekend's 25-17 win against Scotland.

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025 - 13:26

Duncan Bech

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett has recovered from a leg wound in time to face England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

Barrett needed 12 stitches to repair the cut sustained in the victory over Ireland in Chicago on November 1 and was absent for last weekend's 25-17 win against Scotland.

The 87-cap veteran second-row came through a crucial training session on Tuesday and will take charge of grand slam-chasing New Zealand, with openside Ardie Savea dropping to vice captain.

Super-sub Damian McKenzie continues on the bench despite producing the late try that nudged the All Blacks over the line at Murrayfield, with Beauden Barrett continuing at fly-half.

Leicester Fainga'anuku moves to the left wing after Caleb Clarke was ruled out of the Hillary Shield showdown because of concussion.

Five of the last seven games between the All Blacks and England have been decided by three points or less.

"Twickenham is one of the iconic venues in world rugby and there is nothing quite like hearing 80,000 fans singing 'Swing Low' to get the adrenaline pumping," head coach Scott Robertson said.

"Recent games against England have been incredibly close-fought and both teams are coming off a run of wins, so we are expecting an epic clash."

England: Freddie Steward; Tom Roebuck, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper; Alex Coles, Maro Itoje; Joe Heyes, Jamie George, Fin Baxter.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Marcus Smith.

New Zealand: Will Jordan; Leroy Carter, Billy Proctor, Quinn Tupaea, Leicester Fainga'anuku; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker; Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett (captain); Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie.

Wales (v Japan): B Murray (Scarlets), L Rees-Zammit (Bristol), M Llewellyn (Gloucester), B Thomas (Cardiff), J Adams (Cardiff), D Edwards (Ospreys), T Williams (Gloucester); N Smith (Leicester), D Lake (Ospreys, capt), A Griffin (Bath), D Jenkins (Exeter), A Beard (Montpellier), A Wainwright (Dragons), A Mann (Cardiff), O Cracknell (Leicester).

Replacements: L Belcher (Cardiff), R Carre (Saracens), K Assiratti (Cardiff), F Thomas (Gloucester), T Plumtree (Scarlets), K Hardy (Ospreys), J Evans (Harlequins), N Tompkins (Saracens).