Autumn Nations Series: George Ford comes into England squad for New Zealand opener as Ollie Chessum ruled out

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George Ford, Alex Coles and Ted Hill have been added to England's 36-man squad for their Autumn Nations Series opener against New Zealand next week. Tom Roebuck, Charlie Ewels and Ollie Chessum have all departed from England's training camp as preparations continue for November 2, when Steve Borthwick's side face the All Blacks at Twickenham, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Ollie Chessum has dropped out of Steve Borthwick's 36-man squad ahead of England's Autumn Nations Series opener against New Zealand, with the lock "awaiting further assessment on a knee injury".

Chessum's departure has opened the door for George Ford to enter Borthwick's squad ahead of their clash with the All Blacks on November 2, which will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Lock Alex Coles and flanker Ted Hill have also come into the England training camp, with Tom Roebuck and Charlie Ewels making way. An England Rugby statement said that the latter is "following return-to-play protocols".

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Ford had initially been left out of Borthwick's training camp in Girona after suffering a torn quad during Sale Sharks' 45-26 defeat to Saracens in September. But he has returned to fitness to provide an antidote to a trio of withdrawals less than a week ahead of England's autumn opener.

The fly-half missed England's tours of Japan and New Zealand, but now serves as an experienced option for Borthwick to call upon, with 96 Test caps to his name.

Meanwhile, Hill joins the squad after playing a starring role in Bath's Gallagher Premiership victory over Sale - helping to extend his side's lead at the summit of the English top-flight.

Injuries within Borthwick's squad have been a key theme in preparation for their Autumn Nations Series campaign, with Alex Mitchell and Fraser Dingwall both sidelined.

And the absence of Chessum is a blow for England, after he emerged as an exciting option at blindside flanker during the 2024 Six Nations. England Rugby said the full extent of the knee injury he suffered in Girona is not yet known.

Meanwhile, Henry Slade returned to competitive action on Sunday as Exeter Chiefs' poor start to the Gallagher Premiership campaign continued with a 36-19 defeat to Harlequins. The 31-year-old temporarily left the England camp in order to gain match fitness in the top-flight clash.

England are set to take on the All Blacks, before also facing Australia, South Africa and Japan, with every moment live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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ENGLAND SQUAD TO TAKE ON NEW ZEALAND

Forwards – Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Ted Hill (Bath), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester), Will Stuart (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath).

Backs – Elliot Daly (Saracens), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), George Ford (Sale), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).

Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+

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