Who would make an England and All Black combined squad

England welcome three-time world champions New Zealand to Twickenham for the Autumn Nations Series opening match on Saturday in what promises to be a blockbuster of an occasion.

The two sides will face each other for the third time this year, as New Zealand aim for their third straight victory of the campaign against the old rivals. The result isn’t clear-cut by any imagination, however, with both sides having named incredibly competitive teamsheets.

Let’s have a look at which players stand out on either side, and who would make our combined XV.

1. Ellis Genge 
The scrum will be a vital component for either side on Saturday as the two forward packs compete to provide a solid standing in the match. Young Tamaiti Williams has been mightily impressive since arriving on the international scene, but will give way to the experience and pure-aggressive running that Ellis Genge provides.

2. Codie Taylor
England captain Jamie George would put himself in with a real shout of being selected at hooker having performed on the international stage well over a decade now, but the agile yet powerful frame of Codie Taylor wins out.

3. Tyrel Lomax
Will Stuart would have been a fine selection at tighthead, but the All Black contingent just has that extra firepower to secure his position.

4. Scott Barrett
Taking the first lock position had to be All Black captain, Scott Barrett. Having bided his time behind Brodie Rettalick and Sam Whitelock for many years, Barrett now holds the position as his own. Many would argue that he is one of, if not the best lock in the world.

5. Maro Itoje
We’ve pushed Itoje out to the number 5 position to make room for Barrett, but let this not indicate that the big England vice-captain is any less devastating. An utter nuisance in the breakdown and terrific in the lineout, an Itoje and Barrett partnership would be a sight to see.

6. Wallace Sititi
Chandler Cunningham-South and Wallace Sititi are both hugely promising athletes who both deserve to start. While both show plenty of promise, Sititi’s impressive metres-made after contact stats give him the edge.

7. Tom Curry 
A divisive one, many All Black fans would feel hard done by seeing their former captain being left out. Tom Curry’s effectiveness around the park and at the breakdown cannot be ignored, however, add to that his deft hands and giant frame and you simply can’t keep him out.

8. Ardie Savea
Tough one on Ben Earl, but you can’t keep the current World Mens Player of the Year out of the team.

9. Ben Spencer 
Cortez Ratima is a promising young nine, but Ben Spencer has been one of Bath’s shining lights in recent years and would bring control to the game.

10. Marcus Smith 
It’s not easy keeping the former two-time Men’s World Player of the Year out of the team, Beauden Barrett, but Marcus Smith has proved to be one of the best fly halves in the world in recent years. Devastating with the ball in hand, his moments of brilliance can win games. Having improved his defensive capabilities over the past year, Smith is verging on becoming a complete flyhalf.

11. Mark Telea
While Tommy Freeman has proven to be a dependable member of the England team, his explosive pace and ability to beat defenders simply can’t compare with the electric Mark Telea. Caleb Clark would be a decent alternative, but Telea’s ability to find space where there is none is unmatched.

12. Jordie Barrett
The youngest of the Barrett brothers brings a style of play most useful to sides with pure gas on the outside. With an incredible kicking game and a playmaking arsenal to unlock any defence, Barrett would be the perfect second playmaker to sit outside Marcus Smith.

13. Rieko Ioane
Henry Slade gives way. A man known as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of centres would surely have the nod at 13 if it wasn’t for the utterly electric Ioane on the other side. The deadly centre cannot be given a moment’s space otherwise he will punish any defender in world rugby.

14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 
He can step through the smallest of gaps and power through would-be tacklers with ease. Feyi-Waboso takes the spot due to his sheer explosive speed and yet untapped potential.

15. Will Jordan
Furbank has been one of England’s most exciting players of the past year, bringing with him a repertoire of skills and running lines that many fullbacks can only dream of, but there is only one real winner in the race, Will Jordan. The try-scoring machine is electric with the ball in hand and reads the game as well as any All Black fullback before him.