France-bound winger Dave Strettle has opted out of England’s World Cup squad, and will be replaced by Bath’s Semesa Rokoduguni. Strettle, who has agreed a three year deal with Clermont Auvergne, has decided to move his family out to France early in order for them to settle ahead of the new season.
It rules him out of the reckoning for the World Cup, and opens the door to Rokoduguni, who was unlucky to miss out on the initial squad and had refound some of his best form towards the end of the season, helping Bath to brink of a Premiership win.
England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Clearly a lot has been going on with David recently with the late interest from Clermont and his decision to leave Saracens. After visiting France recently and discussing it with his family, he has made the decision to move early to get settled before the season in France starts.
“Obviously, it is disappointing but David and I have chatted and he feels that, having made the move, he wants to get on with forging his new career and we both agreed it was the best course of action for him to withdraw from the squad. We all wish David and his family well in France as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
“I will bring in Semesa Rokoduguni, who was very unlucky not to be included in the first instance, and is now looking forward to joining up with the rest of the players. Roko is currently in Fiji but he will be with us as soon as possible.”
Strettle added: “The opportunity to join Clermont and the subsequent decision to leave Saracens obviously was difficult and not one I have taken lightly. Having now committed to a three-year move at what I feel is the right time in my career and for my family, I would like to begin that challenge right away.
“With the England training camp beginning this week, I wanted to be fair to Stuart and the rest of the squad before that started. It goes without saying that I wish England the very best for the tournament and I will be supporting them all the way. I am extremely proud to have represented England and will look fondly back on the 14 caps I have won for my country since 2007.”
Rokoduguni, a Lance Corporal and reconnaissance tank soldier with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, made his England debut against New Zealand during the QBE Internationals in November 2014. He has since suffered a series of unfortunate injuries that have seen him unable to reclaim his place in the international set-up.
“I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to join England for their World Cup training camp,” said Rokoduguni. “It’s a huge privilege and I’m really looking forward to meeting up with the boys.”
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
As you know by now, we are hilarious, and you should be following us on Facebook and Twitter. 
Feels like Strettle realised he was not going to get picked for the final squad once his move was confirmed; so then decided to opt-out of wasting his pre-season working hard when he could be with his family settling into a new country.
Makes sense for everyone I think.
Roko lost his way mid-season but finished strongly and could really be in with a chance of making it into the 31.
What Jacob said. Even without the France move I don’t think Strettle would’ve made the final squad. He’s had plenty of chances for England and never really cut the mustard.
I think Roko has much more of a chance of making the final squad than Strettle ever did, as I think he offers something a bit different to the other wingers, with both his power and step. Hopefully he goes to Denver and then gets a chance in the warm up matches.
Can’t help thinking that fate is helpful selector for Stu sometimes. Rokoduguni should have been in from the start.
I actually think Stretts and Roko are quite similar in styles. Similar build and ability in attack and defence. Stretts probably has the edge in the kicking ability, but Roko is probably a bit quicker.
Fair play to Stretts for saying this now and giving someone else the chance to step in and have a shot.
I too wondered whether Strettle would have made Lancaster’s final cut. No point in his waiting around to see if he’d have brought on the oranges.
I disagree that he never cut the mu’tard though. I recall that when @ Quins, he played without fear, no little skill & he RAN the ball. Reminded me of Mike Brown’s style… until latterly anyway with Brown.
And how many of England’s wings in the recent past have ‘cut the mustard’? If they’d seen more QUICK ball, as with Strettle, it might have been a different story.
BTW watch out that Roko doesn’t turn up playing for Fiji in this WC eh?
“BTW watch out that Roko doesn’t turn up playing for Fiji in this WC eh?”
Along with Waisake Naoholo eh Don?
Unless Naoholo’s on hol in Fiji with Roko, little chance of that methinks.
Strettle has 14 caps and only managed 2 tries. One was in the lost cause against Ireland in 2007 where England had already taken something of a pasting. And the other was on the tour of Argentina in 2013.
That’s not the best return.
Try Strettle’s last season or 2 with Saracens. It’s how the wingers are used, or not. England’s don’t see enough, QUICK ball, esp in chips are down games.
I rate Rokoduguni as our best defensive wing. As fate would have it, that defensive ability on the (right) wing is going to be most important in the first game against Fiji and the absolute monster Nadolo, who I really think could be the Lomu of 2015. Unbelievably skillful too, I don’t think I’ve seen a player of any size play chips and grubbers so accurately without even breaking stride.
Rokoduguni not only has the robust defense and positional awareness, I would suggest he’s also the most likely to be able to read the Fijian attacking style.
Yeah, I know we should be beating Fiji anyway, but in Nadolo they have a bloke that could completely embarrass us at the first hurdle! That Nakarawa who plays for Glasgow is dangerous too – the tries he created in the Pro12 final were sensational.
I think I read somewhere that Fiji would be playing Nadolo in the centre – if I’m right, that will make Barritt pretty much a certainty to start
There you go getting all ‘D’ again. Besides, without ball, Nadolo will be the defender.
Nullify Nadolo by cutting his ball off at source. England should clobber Fiji at the breakdown, scrum & probably the line out as well, so what’s the prob?
Fair points, notwithstanding the game-changing potential of Nakarawa.
I would still have Rokoduguni in the starting team if possible.
It’s different in NZ where the front & 2nd rows are expected to run & handle like backs. If Coles has a perceived weakness @ line out, then it’ll be/has been worked on. The AB’s tend not to have players with too many flaws in their basics.
Besides, it didn’t seem that apparent in the S15 semi I thought?
Error above.