He's in the Army but Rokiduguni will face his toughest battle this Autumn

Stuart Lancaster announced his England squad for the Autumn Internationals which included three uncapped players Semesa Rokoduguni, Calum Clark and George Kruis.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Rokoduguni, a serving soldier in the British Army, and Lancaster is excited about unleashing the powerful winger against world champions New Zealand and reckons he offers the same defence - wreaking abilities as centre Manu Tuilagi.

"Rokoduguni's an exciting prospect and we've talked about starting him (against New Zealand), we're keen to get working with him because he's been outstanding for Bath.

"When you lose someone like Manu, Roko comes into the equation because of his impact in collisions, his ability to beat defenders and carry the ball over the gainline. He's a finisher as well" added Lancaster.

Lancaster ignored calls to recall David Strettle and Christian Wade despite impressive performances in the opening weekend of Champions Cup.

Sorry Lancaster I respect you as England coach, but not including the likes of Strettle and Henry Slade who have been outstanding for their clubs but yet having Marland Yarde and Billy Twelvetrees still involved haven't as impressive this season.

While Twelvetrees was good and linked well with Luther Burrell in the Six Nations, but his form as dropped this season at Gloucester. While Slade has been a shining light in the Aviva Premiership and he could of linked well with Owen Farrell and Burrell and his left boot would brought creativity to the 12 role, which he’s doing better, than Twelvetrees every week in the Premiership.

Then Strettle should have been one of first names not only on the sheet, but in the starting 15 has he's been unstoppable last season and this season. His performance against Clermont showed what he can bring to the England set up and I think he's the missing element to this England team.

Yarde on the hand, like Twelvetrees, hasn't been consistent since moving Harlequins and I haven't seen him do much. While I agree with not including Wade even though his attacking is world class, his defence is still at school rugby level.

However, if Wade improves his defence, then yes England needs him. I don't mind Chris Ashton missing out no the bases Jack Norwell is fit again at the right time, which is why having Slade in the squad would be the smart choice because they're teammates at Exeter Chiefs and they could brought their teamwork to open defences.

This squad is far from the one Lancaster will pick for the 2015 World Cup mainly because there are so many injuries, props Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola and Dan Coles are all missing while Coles Leicester teammates Tom Croft, Geoff Parling, Tom Youngs, Ed Slater and Tuilagi are on the sidelines and they are joined by Exeter Chiefs flanker Tom Johnson.

Finally, the team Lancaster has picked does have a chance of beating the Southern Hemisphere nations the forwards have experience at this level minus the two newbies while the backs have creatively, youth and speed to brake The All Black's, South Africa's and Australia's defensive line.

Playing New Zealand first is great for the Red Rose because Twickenham will be boasting and the players will be pumped and as it's always with the world champions it will be a battle.

 

England EPS Squad

Forwards
Props
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)

Hookers
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)

Locks
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
George Kruis (Saracens)

Back Rows
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Chris Robshaw (C) (Harlequins)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs
Scrum Half
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Fly half
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)

Centre
Brad Barrett (Saracens)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)

Outside Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Andy Goode (Saracens)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Norwell (Exeter Chiefs)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)