Semesa Rokoduguni, the Bath winger who was not even in England’s plans at the start of the summer, will retain his place in the World Cup training squad at the expense of Chris Ashton as Stuart Lancaster on Friday wields the knife.
Other casualties are likely to include Matt Mullan, George Kruis, Matt Kvesic, Nick Easter, Lee Dickson, Kyle Eastmond and Marland Yarde. However, the England head coach is leaning towards retaining Billy Twelvetrees, the Gloucester centre while the uncapped quartet of Sam Burgess, Henry Slade, Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie will make the cut.
Rokoduguni was dropped after his debut against New Zealand last November and was not included in the initial 50-man squad only for an opportunity to arise once David Strettle signed for Clermont Auvergne.
The 27-year-old, who undertook a tour of Afghanistan in 2011 with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, had returned to his native Fiji on holiday when the call came to return to Pennyhill Park and will now be named in a revised 38-man squad.
That leaves no place for Yarde, of Harlequins, and Ashton who has scored more international tries than the other wings combined. The Saracens star finished as the joint leading tryscorer at the 2011 World Cup but has only appeared twice in the past two years during the 2014 tour to New Zealand in which doubts about his defence resurfaced.
Four uncapped players in sight of the World Cup:-
Sam Burgess: Bath, centre
Little introduction is needed for Bath’s former rugby league star, who just over 10 months ago was playing in the NRL Grand Final – in which he carried on after breaking his cheekbone. Do not expect the debate about the 26-year-old’s merits or his best position (centre of back row) to die down any time soon.
Luke Cowan-Dickie: Exeter, hooker
One of two uncapped hookers with World Cup ambitions. His star has been on the rise for some time. The 22-year-old is a converted loosehead prop but shone at the heart of Exeter’s pack last season, matching solid set-piece work with a bit of devil in the loose.
Jamie George: Saracens, hooker
Probably the biggest bolter after assuming Dylan Hartley’s place, when the Northampton man was ruled out. The 24-year-old filled the shoes of the injured Schalk Brits at Saracens last season, playing in every Premiership match, and he capped a fine campaign with a good try in the Premiership final against Bath.
Henry Slade: Exeter, centre
Potentially the complete package with an excellent distribution game, a huge left boot and fine game awareness. Rob Baxter, the Exeter head coach has taken his time with the 22-year-old (left), as has Stuart Lancaster, but his versatility could go a long way to sealing his place.
ref:.telegraph
