Bath’s Semesa Rokoduguni will make his England debut against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.
Autumn international: England v New Zealand |
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Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 8 November Kick-off: 14:30 GMT |
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Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, online, mobile and the BBC Sport app, plus live text commentary on the BBC Sport website. Highlights on BBC Three at 19:00 on Saturday. |
Fijian Rokoduguni, 27, a lance corporal in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, qualifies for England on residency.
Uncapped duo George Kruis and Anthony Watson are on the bench, while Saracens’ Brad Barritt and Bath’s Kyle Eastmond form the centre partnership.
“I am delighted for Roko. It’s great to be able to give him this opportunity,” said England boss Stuart Lancaster.
“The same with Anthony Watson and George Kruis and I am sure they will contribute should they come off the bench.”
Rokoduguni has served with the Army in Afghanistan
Bath lock Dave Attwood, who became a father for the first time this week, starts his first Test since the tour of Argentina in 2013.
Owen Farrell and Danny Care resume their partnership at half-back while Jonny May starts on the left wing in a side captained by Chris Robshaw.
It will be the fourth time in a row England have played the world champions, having lost 3-0 in New Zealand in the summer, although the tourists came within a single point of winning the second Test, a 28-27 defeat in Dunedin.
The All Blacks have lost just twice in their past 46 Tests but one of those defeats was the 38-21 defeat by England at Twickenham in 2012.
England v New Zealand |
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| Date | Venue | Result |
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21 June 2014 |
Hamilton |
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14 June 2014 |
Dunedin |
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7 June 2014 |
Auckland |
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16 Nov 2013 |
Twickenham |
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1 Dec 2012 |
Twickenham |
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Fly-half Dan Carter has missed out on a place in the New Zealand team but cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams will start at inside centre for the All Blacks.
England: Mike Brown (Harlequins); Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Jonny May (Gloucester); Owen Farrell (Saracens), Danny Care (Harlequins); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), David Wilson (Bath), David Attwood (Bath), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Tom Wood (Northampton), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens).
Replacements: Rob Webber (Bath), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle), George Kruis (Saracens), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester), George Ford (Bath), Anthony Watson (Bath).
New Zealand: New Zealand: Israel Dagg (Crusaders); Ben Smith (Highlanders), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), Julian Savea (Hurricanes); Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Aaron Smith (Highlanders); Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders), Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Jerome Kaino (Blues), Richie McCaw (Crusaders, Capt), Kieran Read (Crusaders).
Replacements: Keven Mealamu (Blues), Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Charlie Faumuina (Blues), Patrick Tuiipulotu (Blues), Liam Messam (Chiefs), Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Ryan Crotty (Crusaders).
