Stuart Lancaster believes Sam Burgess has the ability to make it as an global centre, but his England debut against France will show whether he is ready to grace a Rugby World Cup.
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England must finalise their 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup on 31 August, and the clash at Twickenham is likely to be the final opportunity for some to make their case for selection in a test match situation.
Livewire hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is the fourth uncapped player in Stuart Lancaster’s squad but must be content with a place on the bench.
Robshaw’s durability – and Lancaster’s faith in his chosen captain since his appointment in 2012 – means this will be the first in his three and a half years in charge when the Harlequin has not led the side out at Twickenham.
“We will see if Sam can translate what he’s done in training, which is clearly good otherwise I wouldn’t have taken this chance to look at him against France”, Lancaster said of a player seen as England’s answer to New Zealand cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams.
Burgess’ rapid rise to the Test team has raised eyebrows especially when his Bath team-mate Kyle Eastmond, who plays at inside centre and was first-choice last term, was jettisoned on Friday.
“I’ve said all along that we need balance in our back-line – a balance of ball players, carriers and finishers”, Lancaster responded. Anthony Watson, 13. Henry Slade, 12.
“Sam ticks the “ball-carrying” box and that’s why he’s there to be looked at as an option”.
“It is time to see it. We have some great guys not playing this week pretty nailed on – the likes of Brad Barritt, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell”.
Also among the replacements is flyhalf Danny Cipriani, available for selection in England’s World Cup squad after he was re-bailed last week until November following his arrest on suspicion of drink-driving. This gives [Chris] Robshaw another week off.
The England midfield – some would call it the England minefield – will have a rookie-fresh appearance when World Cup preparations move up a gear with a match against France at Twickenham on Saturday night.
“He obviously won’t play the full game but, to get him going again, it’s going to be a big boost for him”.
Saturday is the first of two matches against France this month with England travelling to Paris seven days later, before the build-up programme is completed with a fixture against Ireland on September 5.
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“There is no point doing all the fitness work we have done if we do not intent to play positively and at high tempo”, said Lancaster.
