Back row bruisers and patience at number 10 – England talking points

The All Blacks are in town.

England and New Zealand will meet for the 43rd time on Saturday with the All Blacks odd-on favourites to storm Twickenham.

Here the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into the match.

All Blacks in town

England celebrate a try — England beat New Zealand at the last World Cup (Ashley Western/PA)

Throwing down the gauntlet

New Zealand perform the Haka — How will England react to the Haka? (David Davies/PA)

Back row bruisers

Sam Simmonds will start for England (Ben Whitley/PA)

Patience at number 10

Jones has acknowledged the malaise affecting Marcus Smith as the 23-year-old fly-half searches for the fireworks that lit up the earlier stage of a Test career that still only numbers 15 caps. “There are tough periods in the game and I haven’t seen a 10 in world rugby not experience it. Marcus understands there are ups and downs,” Jones said when retaining the playmaker against the All Blacks. England are investing heavily in Smith knowing he is a unique talent with the potential to take the World Cup by storm and are willing to give him the time needed to emerge from a dose of second season syndrome.

100 not out

Owen Farrell is a key man for England (Ben Whitley/PA)