Slammin’ Sam Burgess is set to make his first World Cup start after England lost centre Jonathan Joseph to a chest injury.
Rugby league convert Burgess was playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Australia’s NRL less than a year ago but is now favourite to partner Brad Barritt for Saturday night’s Pool A showdown with Wales.
England are also set for a change at fly-half, with George Ford making way for Owen Farrell, as the battle to escape the Pool of Death heats up in Twickenham.
Bath centre Burgess is likely to earn his third England cap as he replaces club-mate Joseph. His pectoral injury, picked up in England’s victory over Fiji in the opening game of the World Cup, looks set to keep him out for the rest of the pool stages.
After Wales, England face Australia on October 3 before a final Pool A game against Uruguay a week later. The top two teams from the group will then progress to the tournament’s quarter finals.
Stuart Lancaster is set to announce his team for the Wales clash on Thursday morning.
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