England forward Sam Burgess has insisted travelling from Australia for a one-off international against France in Leigh, near Manchester on Saturday was "never an issue".

Burgess, 21, is one of three Australia-based players in England coach Steve McNamara's side for this weekend's Test.

It was only on Monday he was playing for club side South Sydney and he did not arrive in Manchester until Wednesday.

However, Burgess told reporters on Thursday: "It was never an issue really. I got some sleep on the plane. I'm a young lad, I can manage."

But Gareth Ellis, the West Tigers second rower, and Melbourne Storm reserve fullback Gareth Widdop were given three additional days to make the journey by their Australian clubs.

Burgess conceded he had faced opposition from the Rabbitohs but explained: "They know how passionate I am about England rugby league. 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."

Widdop, also 21, will be one of three new caps along with Huddersfield five-eighth Kevin Brown and replacement Joel Tomkins, whose younger brother Sam will be at halfback as they become the first siblings to play for the country since Paul and David Hulme in 1989.

England are always widely expected to beat France and their odds will have shortened even further in recent days given the visitors will be without the services of seven players who appeared in the 2009 Four Nations series.

There may be 10 players from Super League team Catalans Dragons in the France 13 but missing for both club and country are Clint Greenshields, Dimitri Pelo, Thomas Bosc, Jean Philippe Baile, Sebastien Martins, Cyril Stacul and Kane Bentley.

France coach Bobbie Goulding, the former England and Great Britain international, saw his side lead England 12-4 at half-time in Doncaster, near Leeds, northern England, last year before they eventually lost 34-12.

Goulding, while grateful France have another crack at England, questioned the timing of what will be a mid-season international for both teams.

"I was real satisfied with the squad I had for the Four Nations last year, especially for the game against England," he said.

"Maybe they can look at a different time of the year for this game.

"I would have preferred it at the end, before England go to the Four Nations and we play the European Cup."

Now he is set to give France debuts to halfbacks Tony Gigot, who joined Catalans from Harlequins in pre-season, and Nicolas Munoz, one of three representatives in the side from domestic champions and cup winners Lezignan.

"I've watched him four or five times this year and he's been instrumental in everything Lezignan have achieved," said Goulding.

"He's a real good player with an astute kicking game and he's got good hands as well. There are a lot of players in France who could step up to the next level and he's one of them."

France captain Olivier Elima added: "We know it's going to be hard, especially with the squad we've got.

"We're going to try and compete and get on top of them, get the basics right so that we can compete to the end."

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