Autumn Nations Series: England v New Zealand

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday, November 2 Start: 15:10 GMT

Covering: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds and follow live commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

The difference is mere shrapnel, but against the super-elite, this England team invariably comes up short.

It was a one point loss against All Blacks in Dunedin in July. There were two against France in Lyon in March. The Springboks overshadowed him one in Paris last fall.

The velvet rope that separates England from the game’s highest flyers is thin but distinct.

This fall is about transitioning to that high society; coming with credentials marked with iconic wins and newfound respect from the Test powers.

The focus was clear.

Ben Earl, a vice-captain, said it was “time” for England to trade regrets for results.

Maro Itoje, another deputy head, mentioned that he “won” five times in one short reply on Wednesday, contrasting his own record with that of England legend and 84-cap fellow row two Martin Johnson.

And the place is favorable.

Steve Borthwick’s England reign has largely been a roadshow, with just six of his 24 matches leading to the Allianz Stadium.

Their last home game was their best since being under him – a tumultuous derailment of Ireland’s Grand Slam express in March.

It was the only time England had been on the high side of these small margins, and a giddy Twickenham crowd drank deeply, raising the decibels and washing away memories of ugly losses to France, Fiji and Scotland.

If that same giddy feeling is in the air at the close of business on Saturday, it will be easier to clear another big scalp.

Joe Marler certainly provided the warm-up act.

The England prop’s social media post suggesting the haka was “ridiculous” and should be “trashed”. it set off the expected chain reaction of comment and condemnation.

The All Blacks keep their tip until kick-off. “The boys are aware of it,” New Zealand coach Scott Robertson said ominously.

“We’ll discuss it and decide how we handle it.”

England captain Jamie George’s assessment that Marler has “poked the bear” seems right.

How do England ensure that on Saturday night they are putting trophies on the wall rather than stuffing themselves?

The absence of Ethan de Groot, who failed to meet “domestic standards”, is big. Offered England’s Will Stuart to work in a few scrums over the summer.

Hosts cannot afford that platform to be undermined again.

Ben Spencer’s dead-eye shot is a weapon that will be sharpened in practice. In place of the injured Alex Mitchell, the scrum-half will have aerial ace Tommy Freeman to watch his bombs.

Northampton wing Freeman rose high above Mark Telea to claim a try in the second Test of July. The pair go head-to-head once again and World Rugby’s guidance to officials this week has favored followers, putting the spotlight on any holdover from the home team.

In the back row, Ben Earl’s energy prevented opposite number Ardie Savea from shining too brightly in the summer – their personal battle could be the match in microcosm.

On the bench, England went big, with six forwards and just two defenders – Harry Randall and Fin Smith – named.

With starting center and defensive leader Henry Slade having played less than an hour of rugby since shoulder surgery, the stakes are high.

Potential position switches are stretches. Marcus Smith covers full-back, while center Ollie Lawrence is an option on the wing. Earl could run the midfield in extremis if injury and fatigue bite hard.

Luck will play a part as Borthwick’s best-laid plans hang on a hamstring or two.

Even more important than the muscle is the brain.

England must believe they are better. They need to see the shades of gray in the famous black shirt.

Because for all the haka hoopla this week, for all the tourists’ dominant history, this is a New Zealand team that squeaks by when their predecessors – with 34 wins from their previous 45 meetings – did not.

They have lost three of six in the Rugby Championship, including going down at home to Argentina.

The summer series against England could easily have gone the other way, with Marcus Smith’s day off in Dunedin an obvious fork in the road.

Robertson is managing an awkward transition between generations, exemplified by a half-back partnership of Cortez Ratima – four months into his All Black career – and Beauden Barrett, who is 12 years old and has 131 Test caps.

Teams, like a pair of Curry twins or the Barrett brothers, are closely matched.

If the hosts win to prove their mettle and passage, the All Blacks could find Test rugby’s top tier, like many exclusive clubs, operate a one-in, one-out policy.

For England, with new horizons to conquer this autumn, there would be no looking back.