Mike Ford backs Sam Burgess to shine at World Cup
Monday 13 July 2015 12:53, UK
Bath head coach Mike Ford believes Sam Burgess will have a bright future with England – beginning with the World Cup in September.
The former Rugby League player switched codes last year and is currently in Denver with the rest of England’s World Cup training squad as Stuart Lancaster prepares to finalise his 31-man squad late next month.
England will play warm-up games home and away against France and despite not being capped by his country before, Ford expects Burgess to make the cut.
"Sam might be one of those decisions that Stuart has not quite made his mind up," said Ford.
"But the rugby side of things will start now with England away in Denver, and the preparation in terms of the style they want to play.
"Hopefully, Sam will get a crack in the warm-up games. He was outstanding in the Aviva Premiership final (in May). I expect him to get in, if he gets a shot in the warm-up games, which I expect him to do.
"They (England) are running him at centre, but there is the ability that if Sam was on the bench, for example, he could also play back-row if they need it."
Burgess was considered one of the best players in Australia’s NRL last season and delivered a man-of-the-match performance during South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Grand Final victory last October, despite playing 79 minutes with a fractured cheekbone.
He's inspirational, and I am glad he is on our team.
He has since helped Bath reach the Premiership final and European Champions Cup quarter-finals and Ford has been impressed with how well the 26-year-old has adapted to the 15-a-side game.
"It is pretty special what he has done. There was all the hype that came with it, all the scrutiny," added Ford.
"He has played in the centre, then the back-row, and I think moving forward he is going to be a world-class player in the back-row for Bath, and I certainly see him in the future playing No 6 for England.
"He is a team player - everything he does is for the good of the team. He's inspirational, and I am glad he is on our team."
