Sam Burgess was dropped from England’s matchday 23 yesterday for Saturday’s final World Cup pool match against Uruguay at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Burgess has been omitted from the starting XV and the bench as the hosts enter the death throes of a tournament that effectively ended for them with last Saturday’s 33-13 defeat by Australia.

In a possible glimpse atEngland’s future back line, George Ford has been recalled at fly-half, Owen Farrell moves to inside centre and Henry Slade will win his second cap in the number 13 jersey.

Eight changes have been made to the starting XV toppled by the Wallabies, including scrum-half Danny Care and wing Jack Nowell making their first appearances of the World Cup.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster revealed that centre Brad Barritt and lock Courtney Lawes were not considered due to injury, while number eight Ben Morgan and scrum-half Ben Youngs were ruled out as they are not able to train until tomorrow.

“This is an opportunity for us to finish the tournament with a strong performance against Uruguay and a chance for the likes of young players such as Jack Nowell and Henry Slade to play in a World Cup,” Lancaster said.