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Semesa Rokoduguni sets sight on first England cap after Bath Rugby winger makes senior bow against Barbarians

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Semesa Rokoduguni is eyeing up a first England cap after making his senior international bow against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday. The Fijian-born flyer started on the wing as an England XV fell to a 39-29 defeat to the Baa-Baas. Rokoduguni has just completed his first full season at Bath, having served as a tank soldier with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards since 2007. Earlier this year, 26-year-old Rokoduguni was called up to the Saxons squad after qualifying on residency grounds. His selection made him the first serving soldier to be called up by England since Tim Rodber and Josh Lewsey. And after cutting his teeth against the Barbarians, Rokoduguni has now set his sights on further international honours. Rokodugnui told Bath's official website: "It was enjoyable and a wonderful opportunity for me and the rest of the boys to play against this wonderful Baa-Baas team. It was a great experience for the team. "I am enjoying myself at Bath and with where the team is going next season, it's a perfect opportunity for me to try to take it to the next level, which is international level." Bath youngster Ollie Devoto also made a first senior appearance in a Red Rose jersey at Twickenham, coming on in the centres as a second-half replacement for club-mate Jonathan Joseph. The 20-year-old Bath Academy ace said it was a dream come true to run out at HQ. Devoto said: "It was fantastic. It is every rugby player's dream to play at Twickenham. "JJ and Roko have been immense for Bath all season and deserved to be here. It was fantastic to look left and right and see those two guys here. "For us it was about expressing ourselves and there were a lot of guys keen to make an impression, and I think they did that. "The team played well and I was lucky to get on near the end of passages of good play. When JJ started he played really well and it was great to come on and try to follow that. "It's been a very enjoyable season and I am absolutely relishing any game time I get." After leading 18-14 at the break Joseph thinks England let their standards drop in the second period as the Baa-Baas took control. Despite his disappointment at the result, 23-year-old Joseph says the game was a satisfying end to his first year as a Bath player. "The first half was good but unfortunately we didn't play the right rugby in the second half and it got away from us," said Joseph. "It's frustrating not being able to play the full 80 minutes but I am delighted to be in an England shirt and playing at Twickenham. "It's a nice end to the season. I've been very pleased with my performances towards the end of the season for Bath. I'll try to build on that, get my fitness good and my cramp out of the picture and build towards next season. "There's a great culture at Bath and the boys really put it in. We're in a great place and we've signed well for next year as well. It's a great place to be and is definitely a team to look out for."

Semesa Rokoduguni sets sight on first England cap after Bath Rugby winger makes senior bow against Barbarians


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