Amidst a time of misery for English rugby, the nation’s rugby league team will this weekend take the London limelight as they face New Zealand at the Olympic Stadium in the second game of their three-match series.

Sam Burgess insists club allegiances have been put to one side as England go in search of World Cup success on home soil when they start the tournament against Fiji on Friday.

The debate rages on as to whether Sam Burgess can play international rugby union at centre, but whatever happens in this weekend’s acid test against France at Twickenham, former England captain Martin Johnson insists the experiment will be well worth it.

Former Wigan Warriors star Sam Tomkins is set for a return to Super League after New Zealand Warriors agreed to release him from his contract.