By Ben Dirs & Simon Austin

Walker will finish the Super League season with Leeds

Rugby league convert Chev Walker has been earmarked for a place in England's World Cup squad by coach Andy Robinson.

The Leeds Rhino centre, 23, will cross codes and join Bath in November on a three-year contract - part-funded by the Rugby Football Union.

Robinson said: "We see Chev as potential for the World Cup squad.

"We want to make sure we are covering every option possible and getting the best players to play for England leading towards the World Cup."

Interview: Chev Walker

Interview: England coach Andy Robinson

Bath's move for Walker was initiated by Brian Ashton before he quit as coach to rejoin the England backroom staff and he is expected to act as mentor during the player's "conversion".

Walker was also wanted by Wigan and had offers from Australian clubs Gold Coast and Melbourne.

It might take Chev a couple of weeks to get into the groove, but he'll grasp it very quickly Leeds Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield

And his Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield believes Walker is sure to start for England in next year's World Cup.

"He's big, strong, fast and very skilful. And his biggest asset is breaking the line," Sinfield told BBC Sport

"He'll command one of the England centre spots straight away and definitely start in the World Cup."

However, the RFU's chairman Martyn Thomas was more cautious and said Walker, who made his Great Britain debut against Australia in 2004, would not be rushed into the England team.

Thomas said the RFU was conscious of the mistakes that were made when Iestyn Harris switched from league in 2001.

The centre was handed his Wales debut after just 200 minutes of union - and flopped in a defeat by Argentina.

"Iestyn Harris was put on the international stage very early in his career and it was hard on him," Thomas told BBC Sport.

Henry Paul won six England caps - but is now back in rugby league

"Bath will manage Chev Walker. They have a rather good record of producing talent for England, what with Brian Ashton, Andy Robinson and Clive Woodward.

"What's so exciting about Chev is that he's a youngster. Bath have gone for someone in the very young days of his career, who proved himself very early in rugby league."

However, Leeds skipper Sinfield said Walker would quickly adapt to the new code and could even start for England in the Six Nations.

"It might take him a couple of weeks to get into the groove, but he's very intelligent and I'm sure he'll grasp it very quickly," said Sinfield.

"It's perhaps a bit too early for him to make the Six Nations side, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he was."

Walker follows in the footsteps of Andy Farrell, Jason Robinson, Henry Paul and Harris in making the switch in recent years - yet only Robinson could be called an unqualified success.

But Thomas said: "The question marks about Andy Farrell have been about his age and injuries.

"He has just been unlucky and can still be a big success in rugby union. Henry Paul just lost his way.

"Jason Robinson was a great success and helped us win a World Cup. Jonathan Davies was also a huge success."