LONDON – Midfielder Jordie Barrett has made a comeback from a knee injury and will join the New Zealand squad for their match against England at Twickenham this weekend.

Barrett sustained his injury during a tackle in a match against Australia on September 21, which led to him missing the subsequent two tests. These included the decisive victory against the Wallabies to conclude the Rugby Championship and the opening match of their autumn tour against Japan in Yokohama, where the All Blacks fielded a team of reserve players and introduced two newcomers.

New Zealand has reverted to a familiar lineup for Saturday’s test, featuring key players such as captain Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Caleb Clarke, and Will Jordan.

From the squad that triumphed over Japan with a score of 64-19, only three starters will take the field this time.

Jordie Barrett is set to play alongside his older brother Beauden, who recently returned to the flyhalf position for the first time in nearly two years. Damian McKenzie is included in the reserves.

Cortez Ratima will start at scrumhalf, with Cam Roigard as his backup, marking Roigard’s most significant game since his knee injury earlier this year, which kept him sidelined for seven months.

“Even though we’ve faced England twice already this year, four months can bring significant changes in rugby, and both teams are likely different from the ones that met in New Zealand last July,” noted coach Scott Robertson on Thursday.

New Zealand emerged victorious in both of their previous encounters on home soil, winning 16-15 in Dunedin and 24-17 in Auckland.

The lineup for New Zealand includes Will Jordan, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, and Cortez Ratima. The forward pack features Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett as captain, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, and Tamaiti Williams. The reserves include Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Damian McKenzie.