George Ford returns to the starting line-up at fly-half as Eddie Jones makes just the one change to England’s starting XV for their semi-final clash with the All Blacks.
Ford started all three pool games for the Red Rose in the No.10 shirt but Owen Farrell took it off him for their impressive quarter-final win over the Wallabies.
However, for the challenge of taking on the defending champions, Jones has opted to restore Ford at fly-half with Farrell and Manu Tuilagi in the centres.
Henry Slade therefore moves to the replacements bench where Jones has made one other change, Mark Wilson is preferred as back-row cover to Lewis Ludlam.
Jones said: “Preparation has been good this week after a solid win against Australia. When you get to this stage of the World Cup it is all about focusing on being in the moment and getting yourself physically right.
“The squad has approached the game well with real maturity. It has helped having players here who have been on the Lions tour and played against New Zealand. They have been involved in some of the biggest games in world rugby so this semi-final won’t faze them.
“New Zealand is a great team, they have an impressive winning record since the last Rugby World Cup. Like any good team, you have to take away time and space from them and you have to find areas you can pressure them. We believe we have identified a number of areas where we can do that.”
Elsewhere, the pack remains the same as the one that downed the Wallabies, with George Kruis forced to settle for a bench spot once again.
Jonny May suffered a hamstring problem in the closing minutes of the quarter-final win in Oita, but is passed fit to start on the wing with Elliot Daly at full-back and Anthony Watson on the right wing.
Up front Billy Vunipola will win his 50th cap for his country at No.8. Jones added: “It is a great achievement for Billy to reach 50 Test matches for England and something that is very special for the team.
England starting XV 15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 37 caps) 14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 40 caps) 13. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps) 12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 77 caps) (c) 11. Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps) 10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 63 caps) 9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 56 caps) 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 43 caps) 3. Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 29 caps) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 32 caps) 5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 79 caps) 6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 17 caps) 7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 13 caps) 8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 49 caps)
Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps) 17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 66 caps) 18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 93 caps) 19. George Kruis (Saracens, 39 caps) 20. Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks 16 caps) 21. Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 8 caps) 22. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps) 23. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)
