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.
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Speaking at Pennyhill Park after announcing his team for the first of three warm-up matches, Red Rose head coach Lancaster said: “I’ve said all along that we need balance in our back line – a balance of ball players, carriers and finishers”.
Logic suggests Burgess is up against it in the three-way race with Henry Slade and Billy Twelvetrees for the last centre spot in the final squad but England are doing everything they can to assimilate him – and he could not have a better mentor.
“I’ve not really got any particular goals in my mind – I’m just going to go out and play my natural game”, Morgan said.
There is a welcome return to the colours for Gloucester No8 Ben Morgan, running out for the first time in eight months after sustaining a compound leg fracture in January.
Burgess has this one last shot at convincing a sceptical public that he can deliver as a Test centre even though Bath opted to move him into the back row after an initial foray in the three-quarters.
“Sam ticks the “ball-carrying” box and that’s why he’s there to be looked at as an option”.
Lancaster has already indicated he will field a strong team against France at Twickenham while also examining some fringe contenders for his final 31-man World Cup squad, which must be submitted by August 31.
“And obviously there’s the physical nature of backlines and you need to look at that element, particularly defensively. It’s an opportunity, but there’s no free pass into the team”. Little wonder England’s forwards coach, Graham Rowntree, is as keen to see Morgan prosper as the player himself.
“He has brought those points of difference and worked hard to learn the game”.
There are only two established Six Nations starters, back-row forward Tom Wood, who captains the side while Chris Robshaw is rested, and wing Anthony Watson.
“Lancaster has stuck out his neck a considerable way to give Burgess an opportunity that his form since his conversion to union late last year has never justified”, says the paper.
Lancaster insists the former South Sydney star has earned his maiden Test cap but made it clear there are no guarantees for any of the players named this weekend. If you go out there and overthink things, it can take you away from what could be good about your game.
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The lads are itching to get out and play a match and these games give us a chance to look at a wide range of players and combinations before we narrow down our selection further.”
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“It’s a great thing for me to play alongside him”.
