Borthwick’s England face All Blacks test in fixture that still stirs the soul | Robert Kitson

The visit of New Zealand to Twickenham is always special regardless of changes to stadium names or rules

For those who, for some strange reason, only watch international rugby much has changed since England last took the field in mid-July. Technically speaking, for starters, the home team no longer play at a ground called Twickenham and will instead run out at somewhere called Allianz Stadium. The era of the “Ally Pally” has arrived, which may or may not impress the old-school clientele in the posher parts of the West Car Park.

If there is a sense of the Rugby Football Union selling off the family silver and jettisoning a significant slice of the English game’s global identity it is reinforced by the fact the All Blacks are due to visit a second Allianz Stadium in three weeks’ time when they play Italy in Turin. The only consolation for staunch traditionalists is that fresh monikers can take decades to catch on; some people still refer to the “Manchester Guardian” a mere 65 years on.

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Related

Borthwick faces up to South Africa in defining test of England’s character | Robert Kitson

Steve Borthwick’s England must stop hiding and face a few home truths | Robert Kitson

Steve Borthwick opts for continuity but wants fast and furious England | Robert Kitson

England are not yet in crisis but Six Nations could be decisive for Borthwick | Robert Kitson

Do England’s repeated failures mean Steve Borthwick’s system is flawed? | Robert Kitson

Rugby’s ‘escort’ crackdown prompts disgruntled Borthwick to change tack | Robert Kitson

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