Friday 30 January 2015 14:07, UK
Bath star Sam Burgess insists he has no regrets about his switch to rugby union despite finding it difficult to let go of his league past.
The 26-year-old will line up in an England jersey for the first time on Friday night when he starts for the England Saxons against the Ireland Wolfhounds.
Burgess has had his ups and downs since joining Bath and admits the intensity of the game has surprised him, but insists he has no regrets about making the switch.
"It's definitely harder than I thought," he said. "The perception of union from the league side is that it's a bit easier than league; that you don't have to be as fit as you do in league.
"That's a pretty strong view, and you don't really understand what union's like until you come and play the game and realise how intense union is in certain aspects.
"The game's a lot tougher than I think it's viewed from the outside. Personally I've got a lot more respect for the guys in different roles on the field.
"It's an unbelievable skill that people have got in this game."
He added: “I'm going to give it my all, I've not thought about going back. I'm certainly giving the game everything I've got, so I've had no second thoughts.
"I just wanted a test and a challenge, and I guess this will be the biggest challenge yet."
England boss Lancaster believes it would be a "big, big ask" for Burgess to feature in the Six Nations, even though the former Leeds coach still has Burgess in wider World Cup contention.
Burgess, however, insists he is not looking that far ahead and instead prefers to focus on what he can control, and that starts with playing well against Ireland on Friday.
"I think it's a bit premature," said Burgess of his Six Nations chances. "A lot of people are asking me things that are happening down the track that I obviously can't control.
"I've just got to take it week by week, it's a mentality I've used all last year, just to play it game by game. And that's what I'm going to do this year too.
"I've got to work hard at preparing myself both mentally and physically, then try to perform at the weekend - but then I'll start that again on the following Monday.
"So I'm not going to look too far ahead and get too caught up in what's going on outside the group.
"This is a hell of a chance on Friday though, I'm really thankful to be given the opportunity to play and represent my country again."
Watch Sam Burgess make his England Saxons debut on Sky Sports 1 on Friday from 7.30pm
