Burgess to make England debut against France

Thirty-six cap Wood has previously led England during their tour of Argentina in 2013, and he will now do likewise in his side’s opening Rugby World Cup warm-up match.

Former Great Britain rugby league worldwide Burgess started his union career in midfield with Bath and then switched to the back-row.

It represents a remarkable rise for Burgess, one of six centres vying for four spaces in England’s 31-man World Cup squad, but Lancaster is adamant the 26-year-old’s form in training has warranted the chance to stake his claim.

“This isn’t the team that’s going to play against Fiji, this is the team to look at options for us”, Lancaster said.

“It’s about what’s right for the team”.

“We need a balance in our backline, a balance of ball players, carriers and finishers. Sam ticks the ball carriers”.

“And obviously there’s the physical nature of backlines and you need to look at that element, particularly defensively. We’ll see how he goes”.

England took the unprecedented step of bringing forward their team announcement for the visit of France to Twickenham by 72 hours, a decision Lancaster explained was made due to the long build-up to the game.

The flanker will pack down alongside Saints team-mate Calum Clark, who will win his first cap.

“So, we want him to get as many runs under his belt as possible”. In an ideal world you wouldn’t have an eight-month injury but that is what happens sometimes.

Seven days later the tournament hosts head to Paris before completing their programme of warm-up games against Ireland at Twickenham on September 5.

While Burgess is making his Test debut, for No. 8 Ben Morgan, it will be his first competitive game since he broke his leg in January and Lancaster is adamant he is ready for worldwide rugby.

Team: Alex Goode, Anthony Watson, Henry Slade, Sam Burgess, Jonny May, Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Rob Webber, Kieran Brookes, George Kruis, Geoff Parling, Tom Wood (captain), Calum Clark, Ben Morgan.