LONDON – Saracens winger David Strettle has pulled out of the England World Cup training squad and will be replaced by Bath winger and Lance Corporal in the British army Semesa Rokoduguni.
The 31 year old, who won the Aviva Premiership with Saracens last season, withdrew from the squad after making clear his intentions to move to France and settle before the 2015/2016 season begun.
It is an odd decision by Strettle after being included in the 50 man squad by Stuart Lancaster in May and Lancaster expressed his disappointment at the decision. However he was quick to show his support for Strettle.
“Clearly a lot has been going on with David recently with the late interest from Clermont and his decision to leave Saracens,” he said.
“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,” Lancaster added
Strettle’s withdraw is good news for 27 year old Rokoduguni who made his debut for the Red Roses against the All Blacks in 2014.