Ford gets nod for big match

GEORGE Ford will direct the quest for a first England victory over New Zealand in six years after being named in a team that sees the return of Freddie Steward and Tom Roebuck.

- DUNCAN BECH

Sale’s former Bath playmaker Ford is restored at fly-half for this weekend's Allianz Stadium showdown, with Fin Smith dropping out of the 23 altogether despite pulling the strings in last Saturday's 38-18 victory over Fiji.

Marcus Smith drops to the bench to provide playmaker cover, with Steward taking his spot at fullback and Roebuck slotting in on the right wing.

Wing Tommy Freeman and second row Ollie Chessum have failed to recover from their respective hamstring and ankle injuries so miss out on Saturday’s main event of the autumn.