England has faced significant disruptions in their preparations for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series opener against New Zealand, with several late withdrawals from the squad. Ollie Chessum, Charlie Ewels, and Tom Roebuck have been released from the 36-man squad, prompting head coach Steve Borthwick to make urgent changes. Alex Coles, Ted Hill, and George Ford have been called up to fill the gaps left by the departing players. Chessum, who was expected to start—likely in the blindside flank position—sustained a knee injury during the latter part of England's training camp in Spain. He is currently awaiting further evaluation from specialists, and there are concerns that he may be sidelined for the entirety of the November Tests. As a result, Borthwick is now forced to reassess his lineout options ahead of the crucial match against New Zealand.

England is facing uncertainty regarding Ollie Chessum's fitness ahead of their autumn internationals, starting with a match against New Zealand on Saturday. The 24-year-old lock sustained a knee injury during a training camp in Girona last week, raising concerns about his availability. Chessum, who missed the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand due to a shoulder injury, has been in excellent form for Leicester this season. He played a key role in the Six Nations earlier this year, starting every match, and is highly regarded by head coach Steve Borthwick. His versatility has been particularly valuable, as he has been utilized in both the second row and as a blindside flanker, especially following Courtney Lawes' retirement from international rugby. As Chessum awaits the results of a scan on his knee, England will be hoping for positive news regarding his condition.