BATH'S Sam Burgess is to spend two days with the England senior squad that is preparing for Friday's RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales.

Burgess made his union representative debut for the second-string Saxons in Friday night's 18-9 victory over Ireland Wolfhounds in Cork and will now join up with Stuart Lancaster's men at their Pennyhill Park training base.

"Sam will just come into camp for two days to further his rugby experience before returning to Bath on Monday evening to get more game time over the next few weeks," head coach Lancaster said.

"He's still learning the game and this is an opportunity to help his development."

Burgess, who is eight games into his union apprenticeship after completing a high-profile cross code switch from league, struggled against the Wolfhounds but England's management remain convinced of his potential.

A more eye-catching performer at Irish Independent Park was fly-half Henry Slade, who also joins the senior squad on Saturday evening as cover for Kyle Eastmond who is nursing a shoulder problem.

Lancaster will welcome the news that neither Eastmond nor flanker Tom Wood, who has an ankle problem, require surgery but the pair are unable to train and a date for their comebacks has yet to be decided.

There is growing concern over the neck nerve problem that is troubling David Wilson and the Bath tighthead is increasingly doubtful to be involved against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Henry Thomas, who also played for the Saxons in Ireland, has been drafted in as cover for Wilson.

"We are hoping that David's injury will settle down but we need to consider our options at tight head over the next few days and Henry's form deserves consideration," Lancaster said.

"Kyle's scan showed that he does not need surgery but he is not back training so we have the option to bring Henry in on the back of a good performance out in Cork.

"Tom also does not require an operation so he is being treated in camp for his ankle injury and is making good progress. He should come into consideration over the next week or so."