Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand wing Leicester Fainga'anuku has been nicknamed 'the Nuke' by his team-mates, presumably in honour of the final two syllables of his surname, rather than any kinship with darter Luke Littler.

But it is worth looking at the long version of his name, as well as the short.

In full he is Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga'anuku.

His father Ta’u Fainga’anuku, was part of the Tonga team that beat Italy 28-25 at Welford Road in the 1999 World Cup, and named young Leicester, born the day after, in honour of the victory.

Wales was a nod to the tournament co-hosts, while Twickenham was also part of Tonga's intinerary on that campaign. They lost 110-10 to England there in their final pool-stage game.

No news on whether Leicester plans to get down the deed poll office and in line with the new stadium sponsors.

Image source, PA Media

England have game-changers on their replacements bench that they hope will see them over the winning line against New Zealand today.

Forwards such as Ellis Genge, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock have potential to make an impact, while Marcus Smith offers flexibility in the backs division and possibly some extra creativity in the closing stages if required.

Fly-half George Ford told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's unbelievable how it's a 23-man game. In fact, I'd even go a bit further and say it's more than 23 because the squad of 36 or 37 here allow the 23 to be prepared to play at the weekend.

"I know we're talking about starters and the bench here, but the lads who are unfortunate and gutted to miss out, they have such a huge role to play in the week to make sure the team's ready.

"The starting 15 have got obviously an important job to make sure they start the games right and impose the game plan on the opposition, but it's amazing how many Test matches come down to the last 20 minutes these days.

"To have a bench like we have done in the past few weeks has been incredible for us. To be honest, it doesn't really matter who starts and who's on the bench. It's changed a lot in the past few weeks and they've both equally been as effective. We'll be looking for that again this weekend, for sure."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Listen to live coverage of England v New Zealand on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and via the link at the top of this page.

BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones is joined by former England internationals Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson.

There will be a new episode of the Rugby Union Weekly podcast available later today, reacting to all of the main talking points at Allianz Stadium.

Chris Ashton
Former England wing on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly

England's bench is as stacked as I've seen it.

New Zealand have edged recent games in the final quarter and that is why Steve Borthwick is doing it.

But you are relying on being in the game against New Zealand at 50-60 minutes. It is always a risk.

However, it is a big opportunity for those starters too.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Henry Pollock looks so relaxed it is as though he has just trotted out for a Sunday morning game of touch in the park, rather than a Saturday night lights clash with the All Blacks.

The 20-year-old's warm-up starts with an amble around the edge of the pitch, stopping to envelop Marcus Smith in a bearhug, shank a pot-shot drop-goal, intercept some of the ball boys' catching practice and chat with a member of the backroom staff.

Test caps, Lions tours, European finals and now a shot at the most famous team in rugby. Decent 12 months for the lad.

Chris Ashton
Former England wing on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly

I don't think there is much between George Ford and Fin Smith, but Ford's leadership in these games is what edges it.

Fin will be the long-term guy but that backline doesn't have many experienced players.

That's why George won the race. What I didn't expect is to see Marcus Smith make the bench.

I thought if a centre goes down then Fin Smith could play 12.

Image source, PA Media

Steve Borthwick thinks George Ford has the potential to be a future England coach if he decides to follow that particular pathway when he finishes playing.

How did the Sale and England fly-half respond when he was asked about Borthwick's comments on BBC Radio 5 Live earlier this week?

"I haven't really thought about it yet because I'm still well and truly a player and I still want to be a player for a period of time yet," said Ford, who is winning his 104th cap today.

"I absolutely love rugby, I'm obsessed with it. The nature of the position I play in, you've got to lead tactically and mentally as well, more than anything these days. I really enjoy that part of the game as well.

"Who knows what will happen once I do finish. The way I think about the game all the time, I just find it intriguing - the preparation, coming up with game plans, coming up with plan Bs and Cs to try to win a game - I really do find that fascinating.

"So I suppose maybe in a few years' time, hopefully not too soon, I might head in that direction."

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

Nice story, this.

Nine-year-old Oscar is a keen minis player for Tadley, near Newbury, just getting into contact.

Unfortunately all that is on hold at the moment as he has been diagnosed with Perthes, a condition where low bloodflow to the hip causes the bone to weaken. Oscar has an operation on Monday.

Dad Andy sent a message to the Rugby Football Union explaining the situation and Oscar, who is using crutches to get about, is going to be one of the mascots today. Oscar's prediction is England by a chunky 10 points.

(By the way, it is Henry Pollock stealing Oscar's look, rather than the other way round. No peroxide enhancers necessary to achieve the bottle-blond shock for Oscar.)

England came up just short in their last three games against New Zealand.

In Dunedin, England were two points ahead after 60 minutes. At Eden Park at the same point they were four clear. At Twickenham, the lead was eight.

Can they finally close it out?

In our preview of today's match, we asked you whether you thought England would beat New Zealand.

As of 12:30 GMT, here was the breakdown of what you think will happen:

• Yes, England will dominate the game - 10%
• Yes, their bench will prove the difference - 36%
• No, New Zealand will be too good - 20%
• No, New Zealand will edge a tight game - 32%
• Just as in 2022, it will finish all square - 2%

Image source, PA Media

Wales take on Japan (17:40 GMT) looking for their first win under recently-appointed head coach Steve Tandy.

Louis Rees-Zammit makes his first start for his country since returning to rugby union following his spell in the United States trying to break into the NFL.

At 20:10, Ireland face an Australia side that has lost to England and Italy in the past two weekends.

Ireland were beaten by New Zealand in Chicago in their first autumn international but bounced back with six tries in a comfortable win against Japan last Saturday.

Scotland play Argentina on Sunday (15:10 GMT), having run the All Blacks extremely close at Murrayfield last time out.

England prop Joe Heyes, speaking to BBC Sport on his first game against New Zealand: "As a player it doesn't get much better, starting against the All Blacks.

"We have to enjoy the place we are playing at, it is a cathedral of rugby. As a player you want to take it all in."

Image source, Getty Images

A team update....

New Zealand lock Fabian Holland has withdrawn from the match through illness.

Josh Lord will start and Sam Darry comes onto the bench.

Dutch-born Holland, who made his international debut this year, has been fantastic for the All Blacks and will be a big loss.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Tony, who traded Wairarapa on the southern tip of New Zealand's north island for the UK back in 2008, has successfully conscripted 10-year-old son Blake for the All Blacks, despite the youngster's English mother and upbringing.

They are veterans of this fixture having seen last year's dramatic 24-22 win for the visitors and 2022's 25-25 draw.

"They are always close aren't they?" says Tony. "I am usually pretty confident, but England are on a run and missing Tyrel Lomax, who is a strong scrummager, in the front row and Jordie Barrett in the backline is big for us."

Tony also coaches Blake at Billericay Rugby Club. "Good coach?" he asks Blake. "Er, yeah?!" is the reply. I'd take it.

Replacements: Taukei’aho, Williams, Tosi, Lord, Sititi, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, McKenzie.

Image source, Getty Images

England coach Steve Borthwick said he was "grateful" and "privileged" to have the benefit of Emma Raducanu's experience when she visited the England camp earlier this week.

Raducanu, currently the British number one and ranked 29th in the world, talked to England's players at their Surrey base on Tuesday about her preparation for high-profile matches and dealing with pressure, as well as watching training and taking part in a line-out drill.

Outside speakers regularly go into camp to provide different perspectives, Fabian Hurzeler, manager of Premier League side Brighton, was another invitee in the build-up to today's game.

"To have elite sports people like Emma Raducanu visit, sharing with the players her experiences of preparation for sport and international competition at the very top level, it's always a learning experience," Borthwick told Rugby Union Weekly.

"The players enjoyed listening as she was talking about the contrast with that individual preparation, the need to ensure that they're physically getting everything right in their game."

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Cunningham-South, Curry, Pollock, Spencer, M Smith.

Image source, PA Media

The magnitude of today's match against New Zealand is not lost on England captain Maro Itoje.

He told BBC Sport: "These are the weeks that we live for. It's a huge game, a huge occasion and a game we've very much looking forward to.

"They're ranked second, we're ranked fourth and this is a huge opportunity for us to grow."

England go into today's match having won their past nine games and achieving a 10th straight win would be England's best sequence for almost a decade.

Asked about the overriding emotion when looking back at that run of victories, Itoje said: "Proud. One of my big motivations for playing rugby is to play for England. If there was ever a scenario where I couldn't play for England any more, I think part of the life that rugby gives me would probably die.

"I want to be a part of winning teams, I want to go to Allianz Stadium and see the English fans rocking. We want to make them proud of how we are and it's something we're going to fight for."

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Former England full-back Alex Goode, a key member of the team that famously vanquished New Zealand 38-21 in 2012, was strolling around the stadium earlier.

When BBC Sport spoke to Goode on the 10th anniversary of that win, he revealed that his dad has got the picture of him leaving Dan Carter in the dust that day up in his house.

There is also talk of Joe Launchbury's dodgy dancing, Manu Tuilagi's guitar playing and confusion in Richie McCaw's eyes.