STUART Lancaster has warned Sam Burgess he must serve a successful union apprenticeship if he is to be selected by England, but offered a glimmer of hope that he could be involved at the 2015 World Cup.
Burgess (above) will begin a three-year contract with Aviva Premiership club Bath in October after a release fee was agreed with his NRL team South Sydney Rabbitohs.
So far the move has been funded exclusively by Bath, although Lancaster revealed the Rugby Football Union could yet be involved financially, stating: "I think there are discussions ongoing."
The decision of possibly the biggest name in league to change codes has been greeted with excitement, although Lancaster has denied the 25-year-old will be fast-tracked into the England team. "Sam is going to have to earn the right like anyone else - I've never said he's going to be fast-tracked into the World Cup squad," Lancaster said.