England make one change for NZ Test

The return of prop Dan Cole is the only change to England's starting team to face New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, as David Wilson returns to his usual position on the bench.

 

Cole, England's regular tighthead for the last three years, was among the replacements for last weekend's 31-12 victory over Argentina.

 

With Alex Corbisiero ruled out with a knee injury, Wasps prop Matt Mullan, with one replacement appearance to his name from 2010, comes on to the bench, where scrumhalf Ben Youngs also returns in place of Danny Care.

 

Hooker Dylan Hartley, man of the match in the win over the Pumas, will earn his 50th cap in a match where All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter will collect his 100th.

 

New Zealand's only defeat in their last 33 matches was last year's 38-21 thumping at Twickenham and the world champions are desperate to avenge that setback in the first of five meetings between the two sides over the next 13 months.

 

Team: 15-Mike Brown, 14-Chris Ashton, 13-Joel Tomkins, 12-Billy Twelvetrees, 11-Ben Foden, 10-Owen Farrell, 9-Lee Dickson, 8-Billy Vunipola, 7-Chris Robshaw (captain), 6-Tom Wood, 5-Courtney Lawes, 4-Joe Launchbury, 3-Dan Cole, 2-Dylan Hartley, 1-Joe Marler.

 

Replacements: 16-Tom Youngs, 17-Matt Mullan, 18-David Wilson, 19-Geoff Parling, 20-Ben Morgan, 21-Ben Youngs, 22-Toby Flood, 23-Alex Goode. 

 

Reuters