Chris Ashton questions whether Sam Burgess is ready for the Rugby World Cup © Getty Images

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Chris Ashton says Sam Burgess has the aura of Martin Johnson but questions whether he is ready for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

Ashton was included in England's training squad for the competition but was one of the unlucky players to miss out on a spot in the final 31-man party. He trained alongside Burgess in the England camp but is not sure whether the cross code star is ready for Test duty.

"Sam's won a Grand Final in Australia, he's played England rugby league, so he has that experience," Ashton told The Daily Telegraph. "He's a big lad. When he walks into a room you look at him. Martin Johnson is a massive bloke who you pay attention to if he walks past you. He has that aura about him.

"On the playing side of it: Sam's going to be a really good [union] player. If he's had enough time is another question. I'm not sure he's had enough time to play at 12 at the level that's required."

Burgess has two caps to his name having made his Test debut against France on August 8 and had some time from the bench against Ireland last weekend. Ashton is impressed with his versatility and believes he will cement his spot in the England team but he is not sure quite when.

"He can do what we've seen him do against France the other day," Ashton said. "He'll smash people and he'll run all day. But it's so different to knowing, without having to think, about your job in the team. It's so different to smashing someone when they run at you.

"He needs to be in the right places and get his hands on the ball at the right time. That's not something I'm convinced he's had enough time to do just yet. I definitely think he will be an England player, forwards or backs. I'm just not sure on what time scale. If they need him to come and play six, he's played there before, so they've got that option as well."