NRL: Ex-league player Burgess tipped for England's World Cup squad

England's Sam Burgess. Photo / Getty Images

Bath boss Mike Ford expects NRL convert Sam Burgess will not only make England's World Cup squad, but also help the host nation reach the final at Twickenham on October 31.

Ford believes that Burgess will successfully make a quantum leap from the NRL to England World Cup squad member, despite only making his rugby debut only 227 days ago.

And Ford has backed England to book a World Cup final appointment - "probably taking on the All Blacks" - by capitalising on home advantage that would see them play six of seven games at Twickenham if they reach the final.

Burgess and the rest of a 45-man England training squad have now decamped to Denver, Colorado, for further intense pre-tournament training, with the countdown continuing towards head coach Stuart Lancaster's final World Cup squad announcement late next month.

England will play home and away warm-up games against France before Lancaster confirms his 31-player group for the tournament, and Ford expects ex-league star Burgess to make the cut.

"Sam might be one of those decisions that Stuart has not quite made his mind up," said Bath head coach Ford.

"Hopefully, Sam will get a crack in the warm-up games.

"He was outstanding in the Premiership final (in May). I expect him to get in, if he gets a shot in the warm-up games, which I expect him to do.

"They [England] are running him at centre, but there is the ability that if Sam was on the bench, for example, he could also play back-row if they need it."

- AAP