By Chris Foy Follow @@FoyChris In the exceptionally difficult and frustrating circumstances, England’s coaches have put together a side that, in most areas, has enough quality to challenge the All Blacks. Stuart Lancaster and his assistants have had to choose from a significantly diluted pool of available players, given the enforced absence of more than a dozen leading men, including five Lions. Yet, the line-up they have selected to play at Eden Park reflects the enhanced depth at their disposal in the majority of positions. There’s no Alex Corbisiero at loosehead prop, but Joe Marler is a powerful deputy who has had a fine season. Dan Cole is not on tour, but David Wilson filled in at tighthead with distinction during the Six Nations. In the second row, Courtney Lawes will be hugely missed but Geoff Parling – who started in Sydney when the Lions won their series against Australia last summer – is a reliable figure to fill the void and run the lineout with supreme expertise.
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England are depleted but still have the players to challenge New Zealand
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Rob Webber, Freddie Burns and Kyle Eastmond all have important roles
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Stuart Lancaster sweating on the fitness of scrum half Danny Care
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Ben Youngs will step up if Care fails late fitness test ahead of match
Yet, even if that vision is achieved, @placeholder have more potency to summon from the bench, so if they haven’t taken control by the hour mark, they surely will in the final quarter.
The acid test: @placeholder (left) takes England to New Zealand to face the might of the All Blacks