MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 14:30:05| >> :600:1155310:1155310:

Stuart Lancaster hints that World Cup has come too soon for Sam Burgess

The 2015 Rugby World Cup may come too soon for rugby league convert Sam Burgess, says England head coach Stuart Lancaster.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has hinted that this year's Rugby World Cup has come too soon for Bath centre Sam Burgess.

Burgess switched from rugby league last year and has high hopes of playing for his country, but Lancaster has a longer-term plan for the 26-year-old.

He told BBC Sport: "The Six Nations was always going to be a push. The World Cup would be too, but never say never.

"He wants to play rugby union, he wants to play for England and Bath at the highest level. I know one of his ambitions is to try and get on the Australia tour in 2016 and try and become a regular international player in 2017. So his mindset is a bit broader and mine is also. I'm happy with what he's doing 100%."

Burgess scored 43 tries in 183 rugby league games for Bradford Bulls and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

ID:207390: cacheID:207390:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1389:
Written by
Charlie Bennett
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Bath's English centre Sam Burgess looks on during the European Rugby Champions Cup rugby union match between Bath and Montpellier at the Recreation Ground in Bath, south west England on December 12, 2014
Read Next:
Williams: 'Burgess will be union great'
>