SAM BURGESS LOOKS set to pull on an England rugby union shirt for the first time at Cork’s Musgrave Park.

The 26-year-old, who debuted for Bath in November after eight seasons in rugby league, has been named in a 24-man England Saxons squad to face the Ireland Wolfhounds on Friday, 30 January.

Despite starting just three games since switching codes, Burgess has managed to force his way into a squad that also includes experienced full internationals like Tom Croft, Chris Ashton and Lee Dickson, who’s been named captain.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster will be in attendance at Musgrave Park for the second-string fixture, giving those involved an opportunity to impress the boss ahead of their Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on Friday, 6 February.

“The match against the Wolfhounds in Cork gives us a great opportunity to take a look at a group of players who are right on the edge of the senior squad,” said Lancaster. “And we also have the likes of David Strettle and Freddie Burns, who are very much in our thinking as options going forward.”

England Saxons (vs. Ireland Wolfhounds)

Forwards: Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), Christian Day (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Garvey (Bath Rugby), Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby), Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs), Alex Waller (Northampton Saints), Rob Webber (Bath Rugby).

Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, captain), Chris Pennell (Worcester Warriors), Joe Simpson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Christian Wade (Wasps).

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