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Sam Burgess makes England Rugby World Cup squad

Sam Burgess is named in the England squad for the Rugby World Cup.

Sam Burgess has been named in the 31-man England squad for the Rugby World Cup.

The 26-year-old is one of four centres chosen by coach Stuart Lancaster, but there is no place for Luther Burrell of Northampton Saints.

Gloucester Rugby number eight Ben Morgan is also included, though Harlequins veteran Nick Easter has missed out on a spot in the squad.

"It's really positive that we have such depth and options to choose from," said Lancaster. "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 play their final warm-up game ahead of the tournament against Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on September 5.

England squad for the Rugby World Cup:

Kieran Brookes, Dan Cole, Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Jamie George, Rob Webber, Tom Youngs, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling, James Haskell, Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola, Tom Wood, Danny Care, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Brad Barritt, Sam Burgess, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade, Mike Brown, Alex Goode, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson

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Luther Burrell of Northampton breaks with the ball during the Aviva Premiership match against Newcastle Falcons on January 2, 2015
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