Saturday 29 August 2015 11:53, UK
Sam Burgess insists he will deliver for England and is not content to "make up the numbers" after being included in Stuart Lancaster's 31-man Rugby World Cup squad.
Rugby league convert Burgess has been picked as one of England's inside centre options - despite launching his union career at Bath just 10 months ago and spending much of his time at the Recreation Ground playing at flanker.
Lancaster insists his decision to include the 26-year-old is not a gamble and, following an impressive international debut in England's narrow victory against France at Twickenham a fortnight ago, Burgess is adamant he can play a starring role in the coming weeks as England seek to win the World Cup on home soil.
Burgess will get the chance to add to his international cap tally when England play Ireland at Twickenham next Saturday and, with their World Cup opener against Fiji now less than three weeks away, he insists he is not there simply to make up the numbers.
"I am proud of what I've achieved so far, but the job is not finished yet. I'm not arrogant but I've got strong belief in myself and I know what I can offer," he told the Daily Mail.
"I believe I am ready to add something and help this England team. I've made the 31 but I want to go on from that now. I don't want to just make up the numbers at the World Cup.
"Whether you are selected or not, you have to be a professional, to make sure the team perform as well as possible and credit should go to all the lads who have been in camp. But I feel comfortable and I believe that if I get a chance to play, I can do the job.
"I enjoy every second of training and I've got a smile on my face the whole time. But I'm not in the squad on my personality.
"The coaches certainly believe in me and so do I. I'm ready to play and make a difference on the field."
