Steve Borthwick insists Bath captain Ben Spencer WON’T slow England down as his revolution set to continue with New Zealand clash despite absence of key man Alex Mitchell

Steve Borthwick’s England revolution will continue at breakneck pace against New Zealand on Saturday, even without scrum-half pace setter Alex Mitchell.

The absence of Northampton No. 9 Mitchell from the England autumn squad due to a neck injury was a major blow for Borthwick as he is crucial to the fast pace at which he wants his national team to play.

But after appointing Bath captain Ben Spencer to make his first England start as Mitchell’s replacement on Tuesday at the age of 32, Borthwick hinted this would not change the approach despite the two being very different players.

England will be hoping to play faster than the All Blacks and beat Scott Robertson’s side at their own game – something they failed to do in July when they lost 2-0 in the series.

‘Ben has been part of the England team for a good period. I think that has been a huge advantage. Ben is such an experienced player,” Borthwick said.

‘He has played so many games in the Premier League. You saw how he played in the Premier League final. I thought it was absolutely excellent.

“He is a man who knows how to perform on the biggest stages and I think that is important. He’s a quiet guy. He has played in many big games. We have such a competitive position there with so many good nines.’

Asked to analyze Spencer’s play, Borthwick added critically: ‘I would also say that the speed of the ball has increased in recent times as well.’

Since ripping up his team’s game plan earlier this year and introducing a new attacking approach, Borthwick has prioritized the speed of the ball, away from the breakdown, as fundamental to success.

Spencer, who has been in top form for Bath over the past two seasons, has been urged to improve in this area and has done so to finally earn a starting spot.

Spencer made his England debut in 2018 but has since been a variable figure at international level. Saturday’s autumn opener will be just his seventh cap.

Spencer has been selected ahead of Leicester’s Jack van Poortvliet and Harry Randall. Randall from Bristol – who doesn’t exactly have trouble with a fast game – is on the bench.

Borthwick on Tuesday opted to name his New Zealand squad two days early after his players endured a tough afternoon training session.

Spencer’s selection – who has played just 81 minutes of international rugby in the six years since his bow – was headlined, alongside Henry Slade’s in the centre.

Slade is considered fit to start in regular midfield alongside Ollie Lawrence, despite playing just 54 minutes of club rugby for Exeter this season after shoulder surgery. Borthwick denied that selecting Slade was a risk despite his lack of playing time.

‘He’s as fit as I’ve ever seen him. It is in fantastic condition. He feels in great shape. He is a player who is energetic. He’ll be doing really well on Saturday,” Borthwick said of Slade. ‘He is a very important player for us. He is now more than ever an experienced Test match player.”

Borthwick’s selection for New Zealand can be considered safe and unadventurous.

However, the team’s approach in front of a sold-out Allianz Stadium crowd is likely to be anything but.

Saturday’s autumn opener with the All Blacks will be the first time the country’s men’s side will play on its home ground since the venue formerly known as Twickenham was officially renamed by the RFU as part of a £100 million sponsorship deal.

“For some of these young players, I want this to be their home for the next 10 years,” Borthwick said. ‘We have a fantastic following. “I want the supporters to see how desperate these young lads are for England to do well and that’s what we want to see again on Saturday.”

England have captured hearts and minds with their bold approach, which culminated with victory over Ireland in the Six Nations this year.

But after two narrow defeats to New Zealand in the summer by a cumulative margin of just eight points, there is a recognition among Borthwick’s players this autumn that the time has come to turn narrow losses into statement wins.

Borthwick has named six strikers on his bench for New Zealand to ensure his team does not fade away in the final quarter as they did in both July matches.

Randall and experienced fly-half George Ford are the only back substitutes.

Despite losing Leicester striker Ollie Chessum for the entire autumn campaign after undergoing knee surgery, Borthwick have been able to name a strong and powerful side.

The return of prop Ellis Genge, who missed the summer tour, is a timely boost.

However, one wonders whether England will be able to cope with New Zealand’s scrunching might. The All Blacks may be rebuilding under Robertson, but their front row is terrifying.

The southern hemisphere giants will name their England team tomorrow (THURSDAY) but they are coming to the end of their first season under Robertson and will not be short of match fitness.

In contrast, five of the 23 England players in Slade, Chandler Cunningham-South, Dan Cole, Alex Dombrandt and Ford have not had regular Premiership action in the run-up to the November Tests. Borthwick is convinced that doesn’t matter.

“We expect him to be back and available for the Six Nations,” he said of Chessum, who was expected to start at No. 6 and has been replaced by Cunningham-South.

‘I’m really disappointed for him. He’s really determined to come back better than ever.”

England faces New Zealand (Kick-off 3.10pm, Saturday. Allianz Stadium): George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman; Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer; Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Ben Earl.

Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford