England vs France: Sam Burgess given first – and possibly last – World Cup chance
The England midfield – some would call it the England minefield – will have a rookie-fresh appearance when World Cup preparations move up a gear with a match against France at Twickenham on Saturday night. Henry Slade, a career outside-half recast as an outside centre, and Sam Burgess, a rugby league forward controversially redeployed as a union back, have the unenviable task of showing the best of themselves on debut in the knowledge that one of them will probably be out on his cauliflower ear by the end of next week.