England hope for triple injury boost amid warning over ‘violent’ New Zealand backlash

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England warned to expect brutal response from All Blacks after Wales upset

England head coach Steve Borthwick hopes to have Seb Atkinson, Ollie Chessum and George Furbank in contention for next weekend’s Nations Championship showdown with New Zealand.

A much-changed England side ran in 13 tries at home to Japan on Saturday, with Atkinson (hip), Chessum (shoulder) and Furbank (groin) all missing through injury, along with long-term absentees Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tom Curry and Alex Mitchell.

Atkinson, Chessum and Furbank all picked up issues against Australia last weekend, with Feyi-Waboso ruled out for the rest of the autumn with an ankle injury sustained after a hip-drop tackle from Wallabies prop Angus Bell.

England responded in style despite making 10 changes to beat Japan 78-15 at Twickenham, and Borthwick has now offered a positive update on a key trio ahead of the All Blacks’ visit next Saturday.

“Progressing well,” Borthwick said when asked about Atkinson, Chessum and Furbank.

“They all ran yesterday [Friday] on an individual basis to the levels they can. We’re still hopeful that they’ll be able to be in contention for selection next week.”

England head into their clash with the All Blacks as the form team, but will be wary of a backlash from Dave Rennie’s side after they lost to Wales for the first time since 1953 in a historic upset in Cardiff.

Captain Maro Itoje is aware of the threat that New Zealand possess and said they remain a world-class team despite their humbling 35-28 defeat at the Principality Stadium.

England fringe ace World Cup audition in warning to wounded All Blacks

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