Former England winger Chris Ashton does not think Sam Burgess should be included in England’s squad for the Rugby World Cup.
“Sam’s won a Grand Final in Australia, he’s played England rugby league, so he has that experience,” said Ashton, who joins The Daily Telegraph’s team of columnists for the World Cup, was a former rugby league convert himself, who was involved with the Burgess in the England camp.
Ashton joins Will Carling and Brian O’Driscoll in voicing their doubts over Burgess’ world cup inclusion.
“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.
“He can do what we’ve seen him do against France the other day. 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”.
Stuart Lancaster seems to prefer Brad Barritt and Jonathan Joesph, whilst Burgess can cover at 6 as well as in the middle, fellow centre Colin Slade can also play at 10. This ability to play multiple positions may have been the key decider in Lancaster’s decision to include them.
