Autumn Nations Series: England v New Zealand

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday, 2 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

“There was electricity in the air at Twickenham,” recalled former England centre Brad Barritt.

“We were playing the world champions, a team littered with experience and a trophy cabinet the desire of most rugby players across the globe.

“We knew we faced a huge challenge but you just felt this special feeling brimming in the team.”

World number one side New Zealand, boasting household names Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, rocked up to Twickenham in December 2012 expecting to extend their unbeaten run to 21 matches.

Those outside of England’s camp gave them little hope of beating the All Blacks for the first time in nine years, but within Stuart Lancaster’s squad was a quiet sense of anticipation.

Barritt said there was a feeling among the players they were “due a big performance”.

What followed, was one of the finest performances in English rugby history and a record 38-21 win over New Zealand.

“We probably hadn’t had the results in that autumn series so it built to a crescendo facing an unstoppable All Blacks side, which was widely regarded as one of the best rugby teams ever,” the 38-year-old Barritt told BBC Sport.

New Zealand were heavy favourites but Owen Farrell’s ever-reliable boot rewarded his side for their set-piece dominance and gave the hosts a 15-0 lead at half-time.

Having last beaten their opponents in 2003, England were in unfamiliar territory holding the advantage at the break, but Barritt said they were disappointed not to be further in front.

“We probably didn’t execute some of the opportunities we created but we did build some scoreboard momentum,” he said.

“Everyone knew the opponents we were facing though, and how they were going to bounce back.”

English trepidation was quickly realised.

The world champions recovered after the interval and scored two quick tries through Julian Savea and Kieran Read to reduce the deficit to one point.

The seemingly inevitable comeback was almost complete.

“Suddenly you are at parity and having to restart the game,” added Barritt.

“But there was a still a lot of positivity among the players. We had barely fired a shot at New Zealand in the second half and wanted to get back on the front foot and execute on one of our plays.”

Three minutes after Read’s try, Barritt broke through in midfield before combining with centre partner Manu Tuilagi to score in the corner.

English resurgence or momentary defiance?

“It was a game-changing moment,” said Barritt. “The momentum had been in their favour. I remember Owen Farrell firing a great pass to me and it was Kieran Read over-tracking so I was able to beat him on the outside.

“Manu was there to support and we were able to draw that last man and he got it back to me for the try.

“In that moment, there was a feeling of euphoria. It was my second try for England but to score against the All Blacks was special. From then on, the team kicked into overdrive.”

Tuilagi notched up another assist moments later, powering past both Carter and McCaw to throw the ball wide for an onrushing Chris Ashton to mark England’s dominance with his trademark swan dive.

A famous success was wrapped up after the hour mark as Tuilagi turned from provider to finisher with a timely intercept before running clear.

Twickenham erupted and England felt as if they were back among the big-hitters, having inflicted New Zealand’s third-heaviest defeat in 109 years of Test rugby.

“It was an unbelievable atmosphere and there was an electricity in the air at Twickenham,” added Barritt.

“If you could freeze that moment of sheer jubilation as a player, that was as special a feeling most of us had ever felt.”

Victory for Barritt and the class of 2012 was the last tasted by England against New Zealand on home soil.

Almost 12 years on, Steve Borthwick’s side prepare to host the All Blacks to kick-start their Autumn Nations Series campaign, having narrowly lost both matches in their 2-0 summer series defeat in New Zealand.

“England are in a very similar place as a team as we were in 2012,” said Barritt, who won 26 caps before retiring from rugby at the end of the 2019-20 Premiership season with Saracens.

“They have shown they are a quality outfit and there are a lot of experienced players in that side, but they probably haven’t got some of those big results they would’ve wanted.

“They have all the ingredients with fantastic coaches and super-talented players but they are probably trying to find that secret to edging out wins they don’t deserve on the day. It’s that ruthless edge which England’s World Cup winners had in 2003.”

Barritt, who has since ventured into business helping tech start-ups and running his own coffee company, said England’s set-piece will be crucial if they are to recreate the heroics of 2012.

“With respect, I don’t think this New Zealand team are the same force as they were in 2012 and they don’t have as much experience,” he added.

“England’s pack is stronger and could have more influence on the game in the set-piece.

“I think they will try to play quickly and utilise the skills at their disposal, but at Test level, you have to do that with balance. You cannot play recklessly against the top players in the world.

“It could be the game which shouts out that England are global contenders.”