Tuesday 17 November 2015 22:14, UK
England have been criticised for the way they utilised Sam Burgess at the World Cup by Eddie Jones.
Burgess played 27 senior games in union after deciding to make the switch in codes, the last four of those for England at the World Cup when head coach Stuart Lancaster opted to move him to inside centre having played as a flanker for Bath.
Following reports that Burgess was unhappy with union, the 26-year-old agreed a move back to league by signing a three-year deal on November 6 with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.
Jones, one of the favourites to replace Lancaster despite recently signing a contract with South African Super Rugby side the Stormers, believes Burgess was poorly treated by the England management.
The 55-year-old Australian, who steered Japan to three pool victories at the World Cup, told the Guardian: "They definitely weren't focused enough on how to improve Burgess as a player.
"You had Bath playing him at 12 and then at No 6 and England wanting to play him at inside centre.
"You have a guy who comes from rugby league and you ask him to play in two completely different positions - how silly is that?
"No one can play in those two positions, and no other teams in the world of rugby try to do that."
Jones suggested New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams had a smooth transition from league to union because he was managed correctly and given time to prosper.
"Williams clearly had better management from the time he was first introduced to union," Jones added.
"He was coached to be a 12 when he came in at Canterbury [in 2010] and the Crusaders [in 2011] and the All Blacks selected him as an inside centre.
"He filled in at a couple other positions, but predominantly they looked after him well. In contrast, Burgess was never given a fair chance to play in union successfully which is a real shame."
The future of Jones remains uncertain, despite the Stormers insisting their new coach will remain at their helm and be in charge when their season starts in February.
Jones, installed as Sky Bet's odds-on favourite for the England job, distanced himself from the role with the RFU last week by saying he was "committed" to being with the Cape Town based franchise.
