Rugby league convert Sam Burgess has been named in England’s World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old completes a remarkable rise since moving from South Sydney Rabbitohs to Bath last October by being included in Stuart Lancaster’s 31-man squad.

Northampton’s Luther Burrell was the centre to miss out as Henry Slade of Exeter was included alongside Burgess.

Ben Morgan was named as one of England’s number eights, with Nick Easter missing out, while Sale fly-half Danny Cipriani was also omitted.

England play Fiji in the opening game of the tournament at Twickenham on September 18.

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Head coach Lancaster said: “It’s really positive that we have such depth and options to choose from. 

“Selection wasn’t easy and it is tough to leave anyone out but it’s important to stress that the players not in this group are still part of our wider squad and could come in at any point.

“After 10 weeks in camp we have made our final selection of players and we believe we have a great group to take us into the tournament.

“With three weeks to go before we play Fiji we feel we are in good shape as we head into next Saturday’s game against Ireland.

“As the excitement builds around the tournament we are looking forward to the country getting behind England and we know this group of players will represent the nation with pride.”

England squad for the 2015 World Cup

Props: K Brookes (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester), J Marler (Harlequins), M Vunipola (Saracens), D Wilson (Bath).
Hookers: J George (Saracens), R Webber (Bath), T Youngs (Leicester).
Second rows: G Kruis (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), G Parling (Exeter).
Back rows: J Haskell (Wasps), B Morgan (Gloucester), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Vunipola (Saracens), T Wood (Northampton).
Scrum halves: D Care (Harlequins), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Fly halves: O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Bath).
Centres: B Barritt (Saracens), S Burgess (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), H Slade (Exeter).
Back three: M Brown (Harlequins), A Goode (Saracens), J May (Gloucester) , J Nowell (Exeter), A Watson (Bath Rugby).