George Ford called up for England as Ollie Chessum misses New Zealand clash

George Ford has been called up to the England squad ahead of their autumn opener against New Zealand on November 2, while Ollie Chessum has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Ford, alongside Alex Coles and Ted Hill, has been added to Steve Borthwick’s 36-player squad as England prepares for their highly anticipated Test at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Ollie Chessum was forced to withdraw from the squad after sustaining a knee injury during England’s training camp in Girona.

The Leicester Tigers forward, who had been a key figure in England’s pack, is awaiting further assessment, and his availability for the remaining autumn fixtures against Australia, South Africa, and Japan is uncertain.

Chessum, a versatile player who covers both the second row and blindside flanker, had been expected to build on his 23 caps after recovering from shoulder and thumb surgeries earlier this year.

His absence is a blow for Steve Borthwick, who will have to adjust his forward pack accordingly.

On the positive side, George Ford has been called up to the squad after recovering from a torn thigh muscle suffered while playing for Sale Sharks. Ford's experience and playmaking ability will be crucial as England face the All Blacks.

Additionally, Henry Slade is expected to be fit after proving his recovery from shoulder surgery with a solid 55-minute performance for Exeter in their match against Harlequins, making him a likely starter for the All Blacks clash.

England squad:

Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Ted Hill (Bath Rugby), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester Tigers), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)

Backs: Elliot Daly (Saracens), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)