Semesa Rokoduguni

Uncapped Semesa Rokoduguni is among 23 players retained by England coach Stuart Lancaster to prepare for Saturday’s Test against New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium.

The Fijian-born tank soldier is one of four Bath backs included after sparkling Premiership form, with Anthony Watson also being included in a matchday squad for the first time – alongside Kyle Eastmond and George Ford.

In the forwards, uncapped Saracens lock George Kruis is included for the first time after Joe Launchbury was ruled out of the 2014 Internationals with a neck injury.

Front row duo Joe Marler and David Wilson have trained fully this week after minor injuries and take their slots to face the All Blacks.

Meanwhile the injury-hit England squad were faced with the prospect of having to re-jig their side once more ahead of their clash with the World Cup champions, New Zealand, after lock Dave Attwood left their training camp to attend the birth of his first child.

However, England hope to have Attwood back in time for their opening November international.

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“Dave has gone home, his wife’s in labour,” England forwards coach Graham Rowntree said Tuesday.

“They’ve both promised me their baby will be delivered in the next couple of days! Hopefully that will be sorted for the weekend.

“He’s in his car and on his way home, so good luck to them both.

“We’ll deal with this day by day. We’ll assess it on Thursday.”

Attwood had been in line to start against the All Blacks after Joe Launchbury was ruled out of 2015 World Cup hosts England’s entire November campaign, which also includes Twickenham Tests against South Africa, Samoa and Australia, with a neck problem.

If the 27-year-old Attwood is available, he will be in line to make a third successive appearance against the All Blacks after twice coming on as a replacement during England’s 3-0 series loss in New Zealand in June.

“We’re very confident in Dave. The Tests against New Zealand in June gave him a taste of high-class,” Rowntree said.

“He enjoyed it and he’s gone back, got himself very fit and shed some weight.

“His game involvement has increased sufficiently and he’s played exceptionally well in Bath’s pack, so I’m more than happy with him.”

With England also without second row forwards Geoff Parling and Ed Slater for the whole of the November series, Kruis could well make his Test debut at some stage this month.

And Rowntree said he would have no qualms about pitching the 25-year-old Saracens second row into the most daunting maiden Test assignment of all against the All Blacks.

“George has been outstanding. We’ve been watching him for some time but he’s come in and exceeded my expectations,” Rowntree said.

“I was a big fan to start with, but I can’t praise him enough, how he’s got up to speed with things.

“He’s actually leading things in terms of the line-out area,” Rowntree added. “He’s exceptionally confident and fit, he’s one of the last forwards to finish the endurance tests.”

Rather than be daunted by England’s injury problems, Rowntree was excited by the opportunities that had been created for a group of emerging players.

“We have some big names missing. We have virtually a pack of British and Irish Lions who will be sat at home on Saturday,” he said. “But I’ve been here before and I’ve seen guys take their chances.

“What better time to do that than against the All Blacks at Twickenham?

“What a great opportunity for these guys to come in and give us more questions and selection headaches. I want these headaches and guys putting their hands up.”

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We’ve had a good few days’ training on the back of last week.

“The players have worked really hard and everyone who has been in camp has pushed hard for selection and their attitude has been fantastic.

“We are excited about the squad we have picked and we are looking forward to getting back to Twickenham this weekend and taking on a team of the quality of New Zealand.”

Returning to their Premiership clubs: Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), James Haskell (Wasps), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), David Paice (London Irish), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Marland Yarde (Harlequins).

England squad:

Forwards: Dave Attwood, Kieran Brookes, Dylan Hartley, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Matt Mullan, David Wilson, Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw (captain), Billy Vunipola, Rob Webber, Tom Wood.

Backs: Brad Barritt, Mike Brown, Danny Care, Kyle Eastmond, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonny May, Semesa Rokoduguni, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

Date: Saturday 8 November
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-Off: 16:30 SA Time (14:30 BTS & GMT, 03:30 Sunday NZ Time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)