Joe Marler has departed from the England rugby squad ahead of their autumn international match against New Zealand due to personal reasons, as reported by the Guardian. The 34-year-old prop had joined the team at their training base in Bagshot on Sunday but made the decision to leave early in the week, informing head coach Steve Borthwick of his choice. In a related note, Marler had recently stirred controversy by calling for the traditional haka to be "binned" in a social media post, which he later deleted. For those in need of support, various helplines are available: in the UK, Samaritans can be reached at 116 123, and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, Lifeline is available at 13 11 14, while the national family violence counselling service can be contacted at 1800 737 732. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 1-800-273-8255, and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Steve Borthwick has chosen to maintain continuity in his first autumn England team selection, making only four changes to the starting lineup ahead of the match against New Zealand. His strategy includes a forward-heavy bench, indicating a desire for a robust and dynamic performance. As the nation anticipates the outcome, Borthwick faces significant decisions that could have lasting implications. While some may view his selections as a forward-thinking approach aimed at future development, others might see it as a cautious strategy in preparation for a challenging series of matches. In making these choices, Borthwick has had to make some difficult calls. Notably, Sam Underhill, who has had memorable performances against New Zealand in the past, has been left out of the matchday squad entirely. Similarly, Fin Smith, who was expected to emerge as a key player at fly-half, has also been omitted from the lineup. Overall, Borthwick's selections reflect a blend of continuity and a focus on speed and intensity, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting encounter.