England’s Sam Burgess is ready to start his first World Cup match in Saturday’s Pool A clash with Wales, according to the team’s backs coach Mike Catt.
Coach Stuart Lancaster has said he will consider reshuffling his side after six second-half replacements, including Burgess, made a big impact in Friday’s 35-11 victory over Fiji. Lancaster is expected to name his team by Thursday.
Dual-code England international Burgess, 26, has won three caps since making the switch last year from rugby league where he had successful spells with the Bradford Bulls and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
He is still adapting to the different laws and tactics in the union game and has twice been used as an impact player from the England bench.
The powerful Burgess played in two of England’s warm-up games and impressed the coaching staff with his defensive qualities. Catt said England needed to be very tight in defence against Wales in the Twickenham crunch.
Prop Dan Cole admitted at the weekend that there was work to do on scrummaging after the team lost their own ball on a key set piece against Fiji which led to a try from the Pacific Islanders.
“There are certain areas we need to work on,” Catt added. “Certain individuals will be disappointed with their performances, but come Thursday, Friday, Saturday, there is a lot of experience now so that they can pull each other through.
“The crowd against Fiji were incredible. If we can have the same support against Wales, it will be massive for the team.”