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Borthwick insists Slade is no risk and hands first start to Spencer
The Guardian
|October 30, 2024
Steve Borthwick has insisted he is not taking a risk by selecting Henry Slade to face the All Blacks, revealing the No 8 Ben Earl is providing centre cover for the autumn international series curtain-raiser on Saturday.
Slade has been selected at outside-centre after making his first appearance of the season last Sunday following shoulder surgery, turning out for Exeter for 55 minutes after leaving England's training camp in Girona early last week.
Borthwick has also handed a first start to Ben Spencer at scrum-half. The Bath No 9 has won a total of six caps since his debut five years ago, but gets his chance in the absence of Alex Mitchell. As was the case on two occasions during the summer, Borthwick has chosen to name his side two days earlier than planned, insisting he is "clear where everyone is physically".
This story is from the October 30, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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