Sam Burgess: England man 'feels like a rugby union player'

Rugby League convert Sam Burgess says he "feels like a rugby union player" before England face Ireland in the last warm-up match ahead of the World Cup.

Burgess, 26, made his debut for Bath in November 2014, before winning his first England cap in August, and was selected in the 31-man squad for the tournament.

"I have certainly come on a long way. I feel very comfortable now in my position and my role," said Burgess.

Second row Geoff Parling said "it doesn't feel like a warm-up match."

He added: "When you put on an England shirt, it doesn't feel right calling it a friendly. It almost feels like the start of the World Cup, two weeks away in September against an opposition who will also be hurting. It will be a good battle."

'I know what I am doing'

Burgess won the man of the match award in the 2014 NRL Grand Final - his last rugby league match before moving to union

Both sides go into the match on the back of defeats. England lost 25-20 to France while Ireland suffered a 16-10 loss against Wales.

Neither side will want to go into the competition having lost their previous two games with England playing Fiji on 18 September and Ireland coming up against Canada on 19 September.

Former Bradford Bulls and South Sydney Rabbitohs player Burgess, who has played the sport for just nine months, was a surprise inclusion in Stuart Lancaster's squad, but he feels well-adjusted to the sport.

"I know what I am doing and believe I can bring something to the team," Burgess, who starts on the bench on Saturday, told BBC Radio 5 live.

"There has been a lot of talk about my position but it meant I got more time on the field. It has not been too hard for me at all. I am comfortable at 12 and I am really enjoying it.

"I have found myself in some good situations and positions in training and now it is about transferring that to the field. I am feeling confident moving forward that I can do that.

"There will always be people talking about my previous sport, rugby league, but I am excited about what is in front of us."