England vs New Zealand LIVE rugby: Latest build-up and updates as All Blacks face Steve Borthwick’s side

It is, as mentioned, a hectic November with the Autumn Nations Series spread over five weeks of fixtures. Here’s the full schedule and how you can watch every game:

One man usually at his best on days like these is Maro Itoje, who surpasses the cap tally of the great Martin Johnson today. In Girona last week, I sat down with the ever-considered and compelling England lock to talk leadership, the prospect of a third Lions tour and his potential political ambitions.

For New Zelanad, the 2-0 series win over today’s opponents represents the high point of their year so far, with more than a few teething problems under Scott “Razor” Robertson. Have the All Blacks lost their aura?

All of that has rather overshadowed the build-up to a vital opening Test of the autumn. For Steve Borthwick, the last couple of months have not been as smooth as he would have liked, with the twin departures of strength and conditioning guru Aled Walters (who has joined Andy Farrell’s Ireland) and defence coach Felix Jones (serving a 12-month notice period while providing analysis from afar) rocking the England boss. After a series of near misses this year, this is a pivotal November.

And then, on Thursday evening, Marler apologised to All Blacks fans for his comment – though still believes that the opposition should be able to provide a response to the haka.

England captain Jamie George, meanwhile, disagreed with the opinion of his long-time front row colleague, and suggested that Joe Marler may have “prodded the bear”:

On Thursday, the All Blacks hit back, with head coach Scott Robertson explaining why the traditional Maori pre-match challenge is so important to New Zealand:

So let’s take you through how the haka saga unfolded this week. Joe Marler left England camp on Monday for personal reasons, but it was Tuesday night when the prop stoked the fires with a slightly clumsy comment on social media:

Welcome along to the The Independent’s LIVE coverage of England vs New Zealand as the Autumn Nations Series kicks off with a bang at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

One of rugby’s most anticipated fixture is a fitting start to a busy November of international action as the Southern Hemisphere heavyweights test themselves against their Six Nations foes. Steve Borthwick’s hosts were beaten 2-0 on their July tour of New Zealand and will be out to right a few wrongs against an All Blacks side hoping to rebound from a disappointing Rugby Championship.

A week dominated by chatter over the haka after a social media post from England prop Joe Marler has only added extra edge to an enticing fixture. Kick off is at 3.10pm GMT.