Thursday 6 November 2014 17:42, UK
Uncapped Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni will make his England debut against New Zealand on Saturday.
The Fijian-born soldier in the British Army has taken the Premiership by storm this season and will start at No 14 against the All Blacks at Twickenham, live on Sky Sports 2HD.
Rokoduguni, 27, only started playing professional rugby two years ago and is one of three uncapped players named in the 23 by head coach Stuart Lancaster on Thursday.
Having served in Afghanistan, Rokoduguni knows what pressure is and says he takes some of his army mentality with him on the rugby field.
"Out there in Afghanistan you had to be spot on with your drills, be punctual, dress correctly and be disciplined," he said. "You had to be alert every single moment.
"That sort of mentality fits in well on the rugby pitch. You need all those key points out there on the field. If you're not there on time you miss the opportunity to score a try and it can cost the team."
The other uncapped players are Rokoduguni's fellow Bath back Anthony Watson and Saracens flanker George Kruis, who are among the replacements.
Another Bath star, Kyle Eastmond, comes in to add flair at centre while the West Country club are also represented by Dave Attwood and David Wilson among the forwards.
Saracens star Billy Vunipola starts at No 8 and the pack is completed by experienced Northampton Saints trio Dylan Hartley, Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes, Harlequins’ Joe Marler and the captain Chris Robshaw.
Mike Brown plays at full-back with Jonny May taking up the opposite wing to Rokoduguni, while Brad Barritt joins Eastmond in the midfield.
The familiar half-back pairing of Danny Care and Owen Farrell continue as England hope to beat New Zealand for the first time since their memorable victory at Twickenham in December 2012.
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Danny Care, 1 Joe Marler, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 David Wilson, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 George Kruis, 20 Ben Morgan, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 George Ford, 23 Anthony Watson
England v New Zealand is live on Sky Sports 2HD from 1.30pm on Saturday.
