Wales wary of Burgess World Cup threat

Rugby League convert Sam Burgess will be an "imposing figure" when England take on Wales in the World Cup on Saturday, according to Wales assistant coach Rob Howley.

England are set to name a revamped midfield for the 'Pool of Death' clash following an injury to Jonathan Joseph. Media say coach Stuart Lancaster will promote Owen Farrell to starting fly-half and have Burgess partnering the experienced Brad Barritt in the centres.

England and Wales announce their teams on Thursday.

Were Burgess -- who impressed off the bench in England's opening 35-11 Pool A win over Fiji -- to be included it would be the latest step in a remarkale rise in the 15-man game. The Bath powerhouse has been entrusted with an important role on the back of just 112 minutes of Test rugby and only 10 months on from his change of codes.

Howley worked with England backs coach Andy Farrell, Owen's father, when they were both on the victorious British and Irish Lions coaching staff led by Wales boss Warren Gatland in Australia two years ago. He still has vivid memories of his first meeting with Burgess.

"Andy Farrell introduced me to him (Burgess) on the Lions tour in 2013," Howley said. "He's an imposing figure.

"I was impressed when he played with (Henry) Slade against France (last month). His ability to run hard lines and having that creative edge outside makes it more difficult defensively."

If Lancaster does pair Burgess and Barritt, they are likely to face a far more experienced Wales midfield combination in Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams.

"With the speed of the game internationally, it's about that moment when you know how to react to that player outside as you run those lines so often in training and games," said former Wales scrum-half Howley.

"We're fortunate to have Scott Williams, who has played and trained with Jamie for the last four years."

But England wing Anthony Watson, who plays alongside Burgess at Bath, said: "There's definitely no problem for us to adapt to the changes - the amount of repetitions we put into training, with different combinations, it's almost becoming instinct.

"Playing with Sam at 13 or Brad at 13 or Henry Slade at 13, we have run all those combinations in training often enough to know each other pretty much inside out. We've got great variety in the centres."

Injuries have deprived Wales of full-back Leigh Halfpenny and scrum-half Rhys Webb. And they are sweating on the fitness of props Samson Lee and Paul James who both suffered calf problems in their opening 54-9 win over Uruguay at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium last weekend.

"Our two props are still being assessed," said Howley. "We'll just have to wait and see.

"We have already contacted Rugby World Cup, and there is special dispensation for front-rows which allows us to bring someone in even 24 hours before a game."
Source: AFP