Fijian British Army soldier Semesa Rokoduguni selected for England autumn internationals
Two years after Bath spotted him playing for the British Army, Fijian Semesa Rokoduguni will be selected to play in England's upcoming autumn internationals by Stuart Lancaster.
The story of Rokoduguni's unconventional route into rugby began in 2006 when he left home near the Fijian captial of Suva to serve in Afghanistan with the Royal Scots Dragoon guards.
During his first week, Lance Corporal Rokoduguni, aged 19, was exposed to the true horrors of war after seeing a marine he was on patrol with lose both of his legs.
"When I came back from Afghanistan I had a different view of life," he explained to the BBC. "Make the best use of every chance you have, because that chance might only come round the once."
Rokoduguni was selected for the Army sevens team after impressing for his regiment, and soon found himself turning out for the XVs.
He scored four tries against the RAF in 2011, and another four at Twickenham in 2012 when the Army came up against the Navy, alerting then Bath head coach Gary Gold.
Rokoduguni, who still lives in Army digs with his family in Warminster, initially thought the call from Gold was a wind-up. "I was like, 'yeh right', and hung up," he confessed.
Gold's follow-up call to his regiment boss, a huge Bath fan, confirmed the Premiership club's interest was genuine and Rokoduguni signed his first professional contract in October 2012.
The winger's raw power and speed, demonstrated in the clip above where he gets Bath out of trouble with a devastating burst of pace, brought him to England's attention in 2014.
He played for England Saxons against Scotland in February, and turned out for a non-cap international friendly when Lacaster's side hosted Barbarians at Twickenham in June.
The 27 year-old could win his first full cap for England against South Africa in November, and is eager to "serve" England at rugby like he has in the army.
"It would be a massive honour to serve England at rugby," he said. "And I hope people will see me as a British citizen and appreciate everything the foreign-born soldiers are doing for this country, putting their lives on the line."
What a moment it would be for Rokoduguni, born and raised in Fiji, if he ends up playing against his home country in England's opening match of the 2015 World Cup.