England head coach Stuart Lancaster has insisted that Sam Burgess is not assured of a place in his squad for the World Cup.
The comments came after the former Rugby League prop forward, now with Aviva Premiership side Bath, was left out of England's side to face France in Paris on Saturday.
"I've never made any promises to any player, least of all Sam. Perhaps people should listen to my one-to-one with him this morning," Lancaster told reporters.
"The message to all the players is, 'Centre is one of the most competitive positions and everyone's going to have to earn the right to get in.'"
England begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji when they face their Pool A opponents at Twickenham on Friday, September 18.
