Sunday 16 August 2015 22:47, UK
Sam Burgess was pleased with his England debut and admits he is now much more ‘comfortable’ playing rugby union after switching codes 10 months ago.
Burgess put himself firmly in contention for a spot in in Stuart Lancaster's Rugby World Cup squad after a fine defensive display in Saturday's narrow 19-14 victory over France at Twickenham.
The 26-year-old looks set to win his second cap when England tackle France in Paris next weekend, giving Burgess another opportunity to prove he has learnt from his dismal performance for England Saxons against the Irish Wolfhounds in January.
"I'm trying to do my job for the team and live up to any expectation that has been put on me. I was happy with how it went," he said.
"I didn't try to be a different type of player, or be how I'm described in the papers. I just cracked on and did my job as was needed. I kept it as simple as possible.
"I certainly felt more comfortable against France than I did for the Saxons. I didn't try to do too much ball playing - just did what I needed to do.
"The decision-making is coming now and that happens with time. I'm feeling so much more comfortable within the game.
"When you're in one sport which you feel you know inside out and then come to another and start all over again, it's frustrating. I've never lied about that or hidden it.
"But I'm sticking with it and am really enjoying the challenge. I'm enjoying it a lot more."
Burgess appeared to spend more time in and around the ruck area than is usual for a centre, but his towering presence as a defender was evident even if he was less effective as a ball carrier.
But he received a yellow card for tugging back Morgan Parra when the French scrum-half took a quick-tap penalty and Burgess later admitted he had not realised he was guilty of an infringement.
"I didn't realise it was an automatic sin-binning. I will be richer for the experience. I'll learn and I won't do it again," he said.
"Do you know all the rules? There's a lot of rules, man. I sometimes think that the players who have played union all their lives don't know all the rules. I'm not going to lose too much sleep over it."
