Burgess' strength impresses Lancaster

England head coach Stuart Lancaster says he has 80 per cent of his World Cup squad already in his mind but will not rule out a late decision to call up Sam Burgess.

Burgess will not make his rugby union debut until at least December after breaking his cheekbone in the NRL final.

The 25-year-old has already told Lancaster he has a place in the 31-man World Cup squad in his sights.

He will face stiff competition from fellow centres Kyle Eastmond, Luther Burrell, Billy Twelvetrees and Brad Barritt if, as expected, he takes on the role of inside centre following his switch from rugby league.

Lancaster is also open to the possibility of playing Owen Farrell at 12, allowing George Ford to pull the strings at fly-half.

Talking to Sky Sports News, Lancaster said: "I guess we'll see. It will be fascinating to see how he goes.

"The break is probably a good thing for Sam, it'll give him a break that he probably needs.

"He can get across here and can learn the game in a quieter environment rather than being thrown straight into the spotlight.

"Having spoken to him, his mind-set obviously is to make the World Cup squad.

"We have some very good centres who I'm sure will have something to say about that and he will have to learn the game quickly, but he's mentally strong.

"If he can learn the game he will bring an invaluable amount to the group.

"Obviously he has got to learn the game first, but he is a very, very good player and an impressive person.

"What stands out for me is his mental toughness and strength, the desire to dominate his opposite number.

"He's played against some huge stars in rugby league, he's taken the decision to go out to Australia at 18 years old because he wants to test himself and that's a big thing to do.

"He's done that, he's achieved it and now he sees another challenge in front of him and you've got to admire someone who has that sense of mental strength."

Lancaster will name his elite squad for the Autumn internationals on 22nd October with New Zealand visiting Twickenham on 8th November.

Even without Burgess available, Inside centre will be a key selection. While Bath's Eastmond has been in superb form in the Aviva Premiership, he struggled during England's tour to New Zealand earlier this year.

He was substituted at half-time of the Hamilton Test having been exposed by the All Blacks.

"Kyle is rather good and he has really developed this season," Lancaster said. "He had a great first Test against New Zealand and then things didn't go for us as a backline in the third Test.

"I had a good chat with him afterwards and he had a steely determination in his mind. I could see him at that point saying 'right, I'll be back next season and I'll be ready'.

"He said the same thing to Bath and he's been outstanding for Bath this season, so he's really putting a marker down for the November internationals."

England were beaten 3-0 by New Zealand despite competing for long periods of the series and they are still to win any silverware under Lancaster, who has twice led them to the runners-up spot in the RBS 6 Nations.

"We'd like to have won something and it is really frustrating for all of us that we haven't achieved that," Lancaster said.

"But sometimes going through the pain of losing channels your motivation.

"No one would choose losing as an option, but for us as a group, the pain of losing certainly drives us."