Goneva: Rocket Roko due an England recall

VERENIKI GONEVA has backed Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni’s England claims after seeing his fellow Fijian rip Newcastle apart last weekend.

Rokoduguni scored twice in the 58-5 rout and would have had another early in the match had Goneva not deliberately batted the ball dead in the in-goal area, which earned him a yellow card.

British Army lance-corporal Rokoduguni, 29, won his only England cap in November 2014 and Goneva says the time is right for an international recall.

“Roko is an important member of the Bath team. He shows his ability every time he takes to the pitch and is always knocking on the door. He has proved he is good enough to play for England,” Goneva said.

Newcastle welcome Goneva’s former Leicester teammates to Kingston Park today, and he is hoping they suffer the backlash from that record defeat at The Rec.

He said: “We have focused a lot on ourselves because we know it’s another big game against a big team and we want to put things right. We know we can’t afford to make the mistakes we made at Bath against one of the most experienced and best teams in the league.

“We were just a little bit off it mentally and we were all disappointed by the result. We know it’s a big task but Newcastle beat Leicester at home last year so there’s no easy reason that can’t happen again.”

Goneva spent four successful seasons at the Tigers, scoring an impressive 44 tries in 92 appearances, and knows today’s visitors will be equally fired up.

“Leicester lost last week and they’re also going to be hurting. I know the Leicester mentality and for them it doesn’t matter who they are playing, a big or small team, they always give 100 per cent.”

Back-rower Ally Hogg comes into the Newcastle pack along with prop Sam Lockwood.

Centre Chris Harris' injury means Dominic Waldouck is promoted from the bench, fresh from signing his new deal.