Sam Burgess may get England Saxons spot, says head coach Stuart Lancaster
Wednesday 3 December 2014 15:21, UK
Head coach Stuart Lancaster says Sam Burgess could get his first taste of international rugby union with England's second-string Saxons side in January.
Burgess played his first 17 minutes of competitive union for Bath against Harlequins on Friday after switching codes from rugby league, a sport in which he established himself as one of the best players in the world.
The 25-year-old has been talked up as a potential contender for a place in England's World Cup squad with Lancaster hinting that a place in the Saxons side to face the Irish Wolfhounds on January 30 would be a good stepping stone for the former Bradford Bulls and South Sydney Rabbitohs star.
Asked if Burgess could make an appearance in his squad for the Six Nations, Lancaster said: "That would be a big step, but who knows? We'll wait and see. If he plays well, there's a Saxons game in January.
"Sam is a player who will be of interest, without a doubt. It took about three Quins players to stop him. He's a powerful man and it will be nice to see him get a few more games and put his hand up."
Trending
- MNF names greatest-ever PL forward after Henry and Carra's debate!
- Papers: Two players questioned by Amorim over Man Utd leaks
- Henry defends Pep but admits now is the time to question Man City boss
- Rashford fighting for Man Utd future
- Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham highlights
- Five reasons why Chelsea can win the Premier League
- Transfer Centre: Henry on his next management move
- Late VAR controversy, spectacular saves and a PHENOMENAL free-kick!
- Onana sees off Foden strike to deny City second
- Liverpool latest: Carra identifies left-back target
Burgess' long-term position in union has yet to be established but he came on at centre against Quins, and is expected to be involved in Bath's European Rugby Champions Cup clash with Montpellier on Friday alongside England fly-half George Ford.
The 21-year-old made his second start for England against Australia on Saturday, having first dislodged Owen Farrell to take the No 10 shirt for the previous week's win against Samoa
"I think George has done enough for a run in the team, but I'm sure Owen will have something to say about that in the next five or six weeks," added Lancaster.
"There are four European games and four Premiership games until we meet again and Owen will want to get that shirt back.
"I didn't feel George really had the understanding of the mechanics of the team to throw him straight into that New Zealand game at the start of the autumn.
"I definitely had the confidence to start him against Samoa and it wasn't a difficult decision to start him against Australia.
"There was a bit of debate about whether he should kick or not. Well, he's an 82 per cent goal-kicker this season and if we're going to give someone responsibility, we have to trust them to do the whole job."
