England flanker Tom Wood believes Saturday's clash with France at Twickenham could make or break the World Cup dreams of those involved. Wood is at the helm for the first of three warm-up games leading into England 2015 knowing the performance may decide who is picked for the last few available spaces in Stuart Lancaster's 31-man squad. Uncapped trio Sam Burgess, Henry Slade and Calum Clark are hoping to catch the eye, while George Kruis and Kieran Brookes are other starters who are on the fringes of selection. 'France is a massive game in its own right and we will be treating it like a full-blooded Test match, but there will also be World Cup places up for grabs, everything on the line,' Wood said.England play France on Saturday in the first of two World Cup warm-upsSam Burgess, Henry Slade and Calum Clark all make their England debutGeorge Kruis and Kieran Brookes on the fringes of final squad selectionStuart Lancaster will name his final World Cup line-up on August 31
The 26-year-old's suitability for inside centre - the position he has been assigned by _ even though he produced his best rugby at blindside flanker for Bath last season - remains in doubt, and Wood knows judgement awaits on Saturday.