Flexibility is a prerequisite in the back five of the forwards. Fresh legs are essential if England are to make it ten straight wins with one of the biggest scalps of all. The last 20 minutes of the match are likely to prove crucial. Scott Robertson\u2019s team are flawed but have been formidable in the final quarter of their Tests against both Ireland and Scotland.<\/p>\n
In Chicago they turned a 13-7 deficit into a 26-13 victory. In Edinburgh, Scotland fought back from 17-0 to level the game and grasp the momentum, only for the Kiwis to turn up the heat and blank their opposition yet again. Will England beat the All Blacks if they reach the final quarter of the game without scoring a single point? It\u2019s possible, but I very much doubt it.<\/p>\n
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Curry has been instrumental in getting England over the line from the bench this autumn<\/p>\n
REUTERS<\/p>\n
The balance of selection is a delicate one when it comes to the forwards. A split of six forwards and two backs in the replacements is the odds-on option. Cunningham-South allows extra flexibility in either row. Given the excellence of Ollie Chessum and Maro Itoje in the second row, Borthwick could go heavy on the back-row bench options.<\/p>\n
Before we consider the starting back row, it is a good idea to think about the impact substitutes. The first name on my team sheet is Tom Curry. But not at No6, where he played so heroically for the Lions in the Test series. Borthwick has been utilising him from the bench in the initial autumn fixtures and it is as 20, coming on at the hour mark with a brief to batter the All Blacks, where he can do most damage. Curry\u2019s lineout work was notable at Twickenham. Henry Pollock, who replaced Cunningham-South at the base of the scrum, can be introduced along with Curry; young Master Mayhem.<\/p>\n
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Earl\u2019s electric pace offers England a vital asset in attack and defence, as proved by his second consecutive man of the match display on Saturday<\/p>\n
WARREN LITTLE\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n
That\u2019s two thirds of the finishing back row. Fiji faced Ben Earl \u2014 the official man of the match for the second week running \u2014 for the duration. He could be selected at No8, where his speed was one of the points of difference between England and Australia. Against Fiji, his speed and determination saved a try as he appeared from nowhere to grab the right ankle of Fiji\u2019s scrum half, Simi Kuruvoli, and yank him backwards to cause a spill where the try had seemed inevitable. <\/p>\n
Yet for all the volume of Earl carries, Cunningham-South adds a physical edge with and without the ball around the fringes. Both Australia and Fiji have enjoyed their share of breakdown success, which should concern Borthwick.<\/p>\n
Earl is a glittering talent. In the space of five second-half minutes he produced a Fiji-like flip to keep a counterattack going. It ended with an Ellis Genge try. Soon after he threw a lovely long pass to open the midfield up for Marcus Smith; then there was a little stepping break behind the Fiji defence. He\u2019s an eye-catcher all right. He carries with conviction, as a would-be centre should. Few expect him not to start, it\u2019s just a question of where.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also a question of balance. Guy Pepper is growing into one of those unseen but constantly discussed talents. OK, my eyes are not what once they were, but I\u2019m a long way from blind and it is preposterous for Sam Underhill not to get the vote on the other flank. <\/p>\n