Yarde in for Rokoduguni against Boks

Editor

Semesa Rokoduguni has been replaced by Marland Yarde in the England squad for Saturday’s game with South Africa because of injury.

Semesa Rokoduguni will miss Saturday’s game with South Africa through injury and has been replaced in the England squad by Marland Yarde.

The Bath winger made his Test debut against New Zealand on Saturday but has picked up a thigh injury which will keep him out of the game against the Springboks.

Yarde is not the only person joining the squad, with James Haskell staying to provide cover for Tom Wood who has not been able to take part in full training.

Those are the only two changes to the 23-man squad from those that lost to New Zealand 24-21 on Saturday.

And Stuart Lancaster feels pleased with how his players have responded since that defeat.

“The players have responded well and we’ve had a good few days’ training,” he said.

“Roko did some limited training this morning but is unlikely to fully recover from his thigh injury in time for the game so Marland is in the group coming back tomorrow.

“Tom [Wood] is still sore from the weekend and sat out training so we are including five back rows to give us options before we announce the side on Thursday morning.”

England squad to face South Africa:

Forwards: Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby) Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons) Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) James Haskell (Wasps) George Kruis (Saracens) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Joe Marler (Harlequins) Matt Mullan (Wasps) David Wilson (Bath Rugby) Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby) Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain) Billy Vunipola (Saracens) Rob Webber (Bath Rugby) Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs: Brad Barritt (Saracens) Mike Brown (Harlequins) Danny Care (Harlequins) Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby) Owen Farrell (Saracens) George Ford (Bath Rugby) Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby) Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby) Marland Yarde (Harlequins) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)