RUGBY league convert Sam Burgess has been named in England's World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old completes a remarkable rise since moving from South Sydney Rabbitohs to Bath last October by being included in Stuart Lancaster's 31-man squad.

Northampton's Luther Burrell was the centre to miss out as Henry Slade of Exeter was included alongside Burgess.

Burgess is one of six Bath players in the squad, with prop David Wilson, hooker Rob Webber, fly-half George Ford, centre Jonathan Joseph and wing/full-back Anthony Watson also named.

Gloucester wing Jonny May, from Chiseldon near Swindon, and former Melksham RFC youth player Mike Brown were also among those included.

Ben Morgan was named as one of England's number eights, with Nick Easter missing out, while Sale fly-half Danny Cipriani was also omitted.

England play Fiji in the opening game of the tournament at Twickenham on September 18.