inn Baxter is set for his first international start after it was confirmed that England vice-captain Joe Marler will miss the second Test against New Zealand in Auckland due to a foot injury.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. The 95-cap prop left the field early in the 16-15 defeat to the All Blacks in Dunedin.
Northampton's uncapped Emmanuel Iyogun has been called up as a replacement and will arrive in New Zealand on Tuesday.
England face the All Blacks on Saturday at Eden Park (08:05 BST) as they aim to level the two-match series.
England are already without two other looseheads: the injured Ellis Genge and the suspended Beno Obano, while Mako Vunipola has retired from international duty.
“We have two young men in Finn Baxter and Bevan Rodd who have a great opportunity now,” said England head coach Steve Borthwick.
Borthwick stated that England will focus on strengthening their set-piece this week after the All Blacks edged the scrum battle in Dunedin.
“The best two scrums in the world are South Africa and New Zealand,” he explained.
“We rank just behind them. I think (scrum coach) Tom Harrison has done an excellent job and you saw Fin Baxter yesterday play 60 minutes on his Test debut.
“I thought he did really well. We will be better for that experience.
“They certainly had the better of the scrums; it is one of those areas we will address with the players.”
Expected England XV:
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 64 caps) – vice-captain
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 34 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 1 cap)
Jamie George (Saracens, 92 caps) – captain
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 83 caps) – vice-captain
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 6 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 37 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 32 caps) – vice-captain
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Rugby Quiz:
You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.
It’s more difficult than it sounds.
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