England forward Sam Burgess insists flying halfway around the world for a mid-season match against France was “never an issue”.

The 21-year-old is one of three Australia-based players named in new national coach Steve McNamara’s team for tomorrow’s Gillette Fusion international at Leigh Sports Village.

Burgess, who will win his eighth cap, did not have his first training session with England until Thursday after playing for his club South Sydney on Monday and arriving in Manchester on Wednesday.

“It was never an issue really,” he said. “I got some sleep on the plane. I’m a young lad, I can manage.”

Gareth Ellis, the Wests Tigers second rower, and Melbourne Storm reserve full back Gareth Widdop, who have had three extra days to acclimatise, had the full blessing of their Australian clubs to make the whistle-stop journey but Burgess admits he encountered some opposition from the Rabbitohs.

“They know how passionate I am about England rugby league,” he said. “I stated I wanted to play and they backed me up.

“At first they weren’t too happy about it but they wanted to keep me happy so they respected my wish to play for my country.

“It was never in doubt that I wanted to play this game. No matter that it’s halfway around the world, we want to make the journey as it means that much to put that jersey on.

“It makes me feel proud that they went to the lengths they did to fly us over. It made us feel special and part of the England team. It’s a great idea to get the squad together as much as possible.”

Widdop, also 21, will be one of three new caps, having received his call-up after just two first-grade appearances.

Huddersfield stand-off Kevin Brown, who was a replacement for the injured Danny McGuire, will make his debut alongside Wigan’s Sam Tomkins, whose older brother Joel will be on the bench as they become the first siblings to play for their country since Paul and David Hulme in 1989.