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Van Gisbergen joins England squad

Leicester forward Corry will retain the captaincy

LONDON, England -- New Zealand-born full-back Mark Van Gisbergen has been named in a 30-man England squad for the November internationals against Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.

Van Gisbergen, who completed his residency qualification this month, takes over from former captain Jason Robinson, who announced his international retirement at the weekend.

Van Gisbergen has scored 68 points in London Wasps' first four games of the season and could take over the team's kicking duties from the injured Jonny Wilkinson.

His inclusion is a sign coach Andy Robinson is looking to rejuvenate a team that has slipped from first to sixth in the rankings since winning the 2003 World Cup.

"Mark is a quality player and I have been impressed by his performances for London Wasps, not least his place kicking, and look forward to seeing how he fits in with the England squad," the coach said.

Van Gisbergen said: "I'm excited and honored to be selected . It is the next step up for me and will be a very big challenge.

"International rugby is on another level. It will be a new experience for me and one I'm greatly looking forward to."

Wasps and former Lions coach Ian McGeechan added: "Having had the opportunity to work with Mark first-hand I'm sure he'll rise to the big occasion."

Robinson also picked Bath hooker Lee Mears for the first time, along with Perpignan prop Perry Freshwater, and Gloucester scrum-half Peter Richards and lock Alex Brown.

The squad will be trimmed to 22 players at the end of October.

Robinson retained Martin Corry as captain after the Leicester forward stepped into the role in last season's Six Nations.

Invaluable experience

He also recalled Gloucester's Mike Tindall and Phil Vickery after the pair recovered from injuries.

"I am delighted that after periods of injury Tindall and Vickery are available for selection," Robinson said.

"The experience the more senior players bring to the England squad is invaluable and will help further develop the new players coming into the set up."

With Wilkinson, former Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell and Wasps' flanker Tom Rees not considered because of injury, the notable omissions were wing Ben Cohen, center Will Greenwood, scrum-half Andy Gomarsall, lock Ben Kay, prop Julian White and hooker Andy Titterell.

Titterell was included on a list of 10 players that may be drafted in should others drop out injured.

England has lost nine of 16 matches since beating Australia in the World Cup final, with players such as captain Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back retiring from international rugby because of their age.

England hosts Australia, New Zealand and Samoa on consecutive Saturdays starting on November 12.

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