Sam Burgess might have played just 15 games of club rugby in his entire life, but England coach Stuart Lancaster has seen enough to suggest the former NRL enforcer could play a similar role to Michael Hooper at the World Cup.

Burgess was included in England’s extended World Cup squad this week after scoring four tries for Bath this season while switching between centre and flanker.

Lancaster said Burgess’ versatility could see him fill a “hybrid centre” role at the World Cup.

“Sam is in a pretty unique situation. I can’t think of another player who’s played club rugby at Premiership level in the forwards and backs,” Lancaster said.

“The only probable scenario I can equate it to is the way the Waratahs are playing Michael Hooper at the moment - he’s playing almost as a hybrid centre.

“You look at the way they’re using him in their games recently - he’s so powerful and so dynamic. He could play centre or back row. And Sam’s probably in that position.

“We’re pretty open-minded. We certainly believe he can play in the centre.”

Winger Chris Ashton was recalled for England after missing the last two Six Nations, while 20-year-old forward Maro Itoje was one of five uncapped players to make the cut when Lancaster announced a 50-man group.

Toulon flanker Steffon Armitage failed to earn a call-up, despite his continued strong form for the reigning three-time European champions, as Lancaster stuck to England’s policy of not picking overseas-based players.

The squad will be trimmed to 31 names on Sept. 7.

Burgess began his union career in November after his high-profile departure from Australian side South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL, and has played at centre and as a flanker. He has fared better in the back row, although England looks to be selecting Burgess more on reputation and his leadership qualities rather than on form.

England prefers him as a centre, and his chances of making the final squad were improved when Manu Tuilagi, who plays in midfield, was told last week he will not be considered for selection following his conviction for assaulting a taxi driver and two female police offices in a late-night incident in April.

Ashton established a reputation as the best finisher in the English game after an excellent start to his international career in 2010, but doubts over his defensive game led him to being dropped by Lancaster for much of the last 18 months.

His only international appearances came as a replacement in two tests against New Zealand last June, when England sent a weakened squad.

Itoje, who can play as a lock or a flanker, was captain of the England side that won the under-20 world championship last year, and has forced his way into the starting team at Saracens. Like with Burgess, Itoje’s versatility could prove key to his chances of being included in the final squad.

The other uncapped players are Burgess, flyhalf Henry Slade, centre Elliot Daly, and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Ben Foden, Joe Simpson, Ben Morgan and Tom Croft were not included because of injury but could come into late consideration.

The provisional squad will gather on June 22. England plays warm-up matches against France (home and away), and Ireland at Twickenham before the World Cup on home soil.

England’s first pool game is against Fiji on Sept. 18.

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SAM BURGESS RUGBY TRANSITION TIMELINE

February 17, 2014: Burgess sets his sights on the World Cup as he announces he will be leaving NRL side South Sydney at the end of the Australian season to switch codes and move to Bath.

October 5: He bows out for the Rabbitohs in fine style, winning the Clive Churchill medal for man of the match in the NRL final despite fracturing his cheekbone and eye-socket in the first minute as the Rabbitohs beat the Canterbury Bulldogs 30-6.

October 12: Bath coach Mike Ford reveals that Burgess has had surgery on his facial injuries and is around six weeks from making his union debut.

November 28: Burgess makes his debut in a 17-minute cameo from the bench as Bath beat Harlequins 25-6 at the Recreation Ground. The 25-year-old plays at inside-centre.

December 12: A first start for Bath, again at inside centre, completing the 80 minutes in a 32-12 European Champions Cup win over Montpellier.

December 22: A first union try for Burgess, this time from blindside flanker, in an A game as Bath United beat London Irish A 44-5.

January 10, 2015: Back at centre, Burgess scores his first try for the Bath first team in a 39-26 win over Wasps.

January 21: Burgess is chosen in the 24-man England Saxons squad to face the Irish Wolfhounds on January 30.

January 30: Burgess’ England Saxons debut is a disappointing one in an 18-9 win over the Wolfhounds.

January 31: Lancaster confirms Burgess will spend two days training with the England seniors ahead of their Six Nations opener against Wales.

April 10: Burgess makes his first start for the Bath first-team at No. 6 in a 29-19 win over Newcastle.

May 20: Chosen in 50-man England training squad for World Cup to be whittled down to 31 by September 7.

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England squad: Chris Ashton, Dave Attwood, Brad Barritt, Kieran Brookes, Mike Brown, Luther Burrell, Sam Burgess, Danny Care, Danny Cipriani, Calum Clark, Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Elliot Daly, Lee Dickson, Kyle Eastmond, Nick Easter, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Alex Goode, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Maro Itoje, Jonathan Joseph, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, George Kruis, Matt Kvesic, Joe Marler, Jonny May, Stephen Myler, Ben Morgan, Matt Mullan, Jack Nowell, Geoff Parling, Chris Robshaw, Henry Slade, Ed Slater, David Strettle, Billy Twelvetrees, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, Anthony Watson, Rob Webber, Richard Wigglesworth, David Wilson, Tom Wood, Marland Yarde, Ben Youngs, Tom Youngs.