The tour was first reported by The Times in December 2022,[2] shortly after England coach Eddie Jones was sacked and replaced by Steve Borthwick by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).[3][4] Although Southern Hemisphere tours have typically been played on a three-test basis, as in the 2014 tour; the 2016 and 2022 tours of Australia; and the 2018 tour of South Africa, all Northern Hemisphere touring teams (with Scotland being an exception) returned to two-tests.
The tour was England's first since touring Australia in 2022, and their first tour of New Zealand since 2014. It was Steve Borthwick's first tour as coach of England.[2] Borthwick was previously the England captain when they toured New Zealand in 2008, losing the series 2–0.[2] It was also the first set of fixtures for New Zealand's new coach, Scott Robertson.[1][5]
England named a 36-player touring squad on 10 June 2024.[6]
(1) On 23 June 2024, Charlie Ewels was ruled out of the tests against New Zealand, after receiving a red card against Japan, which resulted in a two-match suspension. He was replaced in the England squad by Nick Isiekwe.[7]
(2) On 7 July 2024, Joe Marler was ruled out of the second test against New Zealand, after sustaining a foot injury during the first test match a day earlier. He was replaced in the England squad by Emmanuel Iyogun.[8]
Note: Ages, caps and clubs are as of 22 June 2024, the day of England's first test match of the summer series.
New Zealand named a 32-player squad for the summer test series on 24 June 2024.[9]
(1) On 8 July 2024, TJ Perenara was ruled out of the second test against England, after sustaining a knee injury during the first test match two days earlier. He was replaced in the New Zealand squad by Noah Hotham.[10]
Note: Ages, caps and clubs are as of 6 July 2024, the day of New Zealand's first test match of the summer series.
This was the first ever test match between the two countries to take place in Japan.
Dylan Riley (Japan) was named in the starting line-up, but withdrew during the warm-up due to injury. He was replaced by Samisoni Tua, whose place on the bench was taken by Takuya Yamasawa.
George Furbank (England) was initially named to start at full-back, but was forced to withdraw prior to the match, due to a back injury. He was replaced by Freddie Steward[17]
