Thursday 27 August 2015 18:21, UK
Sam Burgess has been named in England's 31-man World Cup squad but there is no place for Danny Cipriani.
Less than a year after crossing codes, Burgess has been included by England coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of Luther Burrell, who misses out despite starting every game in this year's Six Nations.
There is also no place for Cipriani, who impressed when introduced for the final 20 minutes of last weekend's loss to France.
Lancaster has gone for George Ford and Owen Farrell as his fly-halves, with Mike Brown and Alex Goode preferred at full-back.
Exeter's Henry Slade, who made his debut alongside Burgess against France on August 15, has also been included, with back-row Ben Morgan getting the nod ahead of Harlequins' veteran Nick Easter.
British and Irish Lions prop Alex Corbisiero is omitted while there is no place for Dylan Hartley as Lancaster opts for Jamie George, Rob Webber and Tom Youngs as his hookers.
"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 believe 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 face Ireland in their final warm-up game on September 5, before hosting Fiji at Twickenham in the opening game of the World Cup on September 18.
England World Cup squad
Forwards: 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 (c), Billy Vunipola, Tom Wood.
Backs: 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.
