Sam Burgess makes the England squad: Cautious Cumbrian has suddenly entered high-roller territory

Stuart Lancaster has enjoyed happier breakfast meetings – his early-morning conversation with the rejected centre Luther Burrell, something of a protégé in recent years, was particularly upsetting – but by the time the England head coach announced his World Cup squad to the masses, he was feeling better about life. All things must pass eventually. Even a red-rose back midfield with Sam Burgess at the heart of it.