England vs New Zealand: Fijian-born Semesa Rokoduguni handed Test debut as Owen Farrell passed fit to face All Blacks
Fijian-born soldier Rokoduguni to start against the All Blacks
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Your support makes all the difference.England have named Semesa Rokoduguni on the right wing for Saturday's QBE Series opener against New Zealand at Twickenham.
The uncapped Rokoduguni, a serving soldier in the British Army with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards who has seen action in Afghanistan, has been rewarded for an outstanding start to the season at Bath.
Born in Fiji, the 27-year-old was once unable to make the bench of his school team but now finds himself acting as England's main three-quarter strike weapon in the injury-enforced absence of Manu Tuilagi.
"I'm delighted for Roko. Wing is an extremely competitive position, but he has pushed himself forward with his form this season and it's great to be able to give him this opportunity," head coach Stuart Lancaster said.
Rokoduguni is one of three uncapped players in the 23 with Bath team-mate Anthony Watson offering back-three cover from the bench and George Kruis of Saracens the second-row replacement.
Dave Attwood, one of seven Bath players in the matchday squad, starts at lock after his fiancee gave birth to their first child on Tuesday.
"I'm sure Anthony and George will contribute should they come off the bench. Dave Attwood has had an eventful week with the birth of his first child. He's back with us now and will be ready to go for Saturday," Lancaster said.
England team to face New Zealand:
M Brown (Harlequins); S Rokoduguni (Bath), B Barritt (Saracens), K Eastmond (Bath), J May (Gloucester) ; O Farrell (Saracens) , D Care (Harlequins); J Marler (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton), D Wilson (Bath), D Attwood (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), T Wood (Northampton), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Vunipola (Saracens).
Replacements: R Webber (Bath), M Mullan (Wasps), K Brookes (Newcastle), G Kruis (Saracens), B Morgan (Gloucester), B Youngs (Leicester), G Ford (Bath), A Watson (Bath).
PA
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