Mike Catt has urged Luther Burrell to solve England’s World Cup “centre dilemma” when England face France in Paris on Saturday.
The midfield is proving the greatest headache for the Red Rose management as they attempt to whittle six down their options in the position from six to the four slots available in the 31-man squad for the global showpiece on home soil.
Burrell will reprise his Six Nations axis with Jonathan Joseph amid a demand from head coach Stuart Lancaster that he produce a “big performance” to see off his competition.
Joseph and Brad Barritt are guaranteed their World Cup places and Sam Burgess looks set to be included, leaving Burrell, Henry Slade and Billy Twelvetrees to fill the final slot.
Burrell has been given his audition at the Stade de France where he will lock horns with France’s Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud and Catt wants to see the powerful Northampton Saint seize the chance.
“We’re looking for some good stuff from Luther – we just want Luther to be Luther. No one understands the centre dilemma better than Luther,” England’s attacking skills coach said.
“The dilemma is simple – six into four won’t go, or maybe seven (fly-half Owen Farrell) into four won’t go. When you have the likes of Slade and Burgess playing so well on their debuts, it definitely heightens the decision. It’s their opportunity to go and shine. It’s tough coming to France and playing against Fofana and Bastareaud, but they’ve played against them before.”
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Mike Brown will make his first appearance since the final outing of the Six Nations, also against France, after recovering from the concussion that ended his season.
England have picked a near full-strength team led by Chris Robshaw for the second of their three warm-up matches as they look to build momentum heading into the World Cup.
Outgoing France coach Philippe Saint-Andre, who will make way for Guy Noves after the World Cup, has rung the changes – 12 in total – as Les Bleus look to avoid a third successive defeat against the Red Rose.
Toulon club-mates Frederic Michalak and Sebastien Tillous-Borde are paired at half-back and Saint-Andre said: “They are used to playing together and I expect them to get the team playing just as well as Morgan (Parra) and Francois (Trinh-Duc) did last week.”
