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Selecting your strongest starting XV for a important rugby game feels more and more quaint these days, evoking thoughts of bygone days like classic TV shows. So much so where you might almost expect to see the home team selection against New Zealand this weekend displayed with a reversed sequence. Despite the All Blacks visiting, this conventional method for choosing the team no longer applies.

Focus on the Final Stages

Rather, it's all about how the game concludes. On this occasion, the coach has selected six experienced players for the substitutes compared to only a few in the starting lineup. Around during the second half mark this weekend, there will be an extensive change with new players joining the field. As the Springboks' famous "Bomb Squad" has shown, this tactic can be extremely tough to counter.

Potential Pitfall

But, there is a small snag. When playing one of the globe's top-tier teams, it is vital to start well as well. Waiting for the introduction of key substitutes like Ellis Genge and teammates might seem less smart if the All Blacks build a significant lead early on, as they did versus Scotland at Murrayfield.

Yet this is the modern way for you. And few know more knowledgeable about the subject compared to Borthwick, who spent several games as an unused bench in his playing days.

Past Examples

Including these occasions, Borthwick recalled recently, is the famous match against the All Blacks abroad back in 2003, when the pack was reduced to six because of yellow cards. At that time, Borthwick and other substitutes remained on the sidelines for the entire match.

On the other hand, during a match in Italy earlier, the then-coach brought on four England captains around 56 minutes, a move memorably referred to like "an exceptionally strong substitutes since."

Current Strategy

The current England bench selection nearly rivals that for "impact player" energy, as the team obviously aiming to overtake New Zealand in the final 20 minutes. "Every game we have faced against New Zealand has gone late," Borthwick stated. "So it's crucial the right personnel available to finish strongly... utilizing that level of experience among substitutes is also a key advantage for the team."

Fan Perspective

There will be fans paying high rates on seats this weekend wondering if reduced pricing could be available since games currently effectively hinge on only the final minutes instead of the entire 80 minutes. Joking aside, however, there is a further quietly compelling explanation: that the coach's trust in younger talents like Joe Heyes has grown sufficiently deep so that England's "strongest" first team may not be precisely as casual fans might assume.

Selection Decisions

If that makes Borthwick as "a bold selector" remains not something he's is minded to discuss – "I don't go for labels... I aim to select the strongest team possible to get the results" – yet the team's current streak of nine victories in a row has strengthened his belief how international the sport has become more of an entire squad game.

"In my view every member understands this is a team endeavor. All the individuals in camp assisting us prepare all contribute. That kind of selfless attitude has not necessarily been the case in an past squads. It was different during my time as playing."

Delicate Decisions

Some difficult judgments are having to be made, even so, with injuries of key individuals. Borthwick also says that "blessed for choice" in key positions, so this time, the decision Northampton's young talent who misses out entirely. Considering the damp conditions expected, choosing of George Ford in the pivotal role is hardly a major shock, while ability the All Blacks' back three against high balls will likely to be examined often.

Know-How and Versatility

Additionally, comes the added importance of experience together with the need for substitute player that can fill in other positions, particularly with another player still completely ready. "It was possible to picked any of the available playmakers and explain now talking about how each is the best player because I think they're all terrific," he commented. "He is a very calm leader and has the skill to bring the team as one driving the team on to attack. It's exactly what looking for him to do on Saturday."

Final Thoughts

Will it prove sufficient? The team lost in all meetings against New Zealand previously with a combined difference only 10 points, while regarding taking chances, the opposition remain highly effective as any. In that scenario, it's likely every chance of an intense contest that could boil down to the last 20 minutes. That's clearly what the England setup is expecting.