Sam Burgess is a flanker not a centre, Mike Tindall says
Friday 14 August 2015 12:01, UK
World Cup winner Mike Tindall has questioned whether Sam Burgess has the tools to play at centre in this year's tournament.
Burgess was often used at flanker during his first season in union with Bath, but he will have his chance to lay down a marker at centre when he lines up alongside midfield partner Henry Slade in England's first World Cup warm-up against France on Saturday.
Stuart Lancaster has admitted it would be "a big step" to include both cross-code convert Burgess and the inexperienced Slade in his final squad and, according to TIndall, neither is the solution.
"If I was completely honest, I wouldn't have Sam Burgess in the centre, I still prefer him at six. And I don't think Slade is a natural 13 either and definitely not for this World Cup," said Tindall, who started the 2003 World Cup final at centre.
"I know Sam has the ability to carry down the middle and be that go-forward centre. My only concern is around defensive decision-making.
"I watched him a few times when he defended at 12 and the Bath v Saracens match jumps out at me in terms of when he got caught a couple of times stepping in on a dummy runner.
"Yes you can learn to work together and defend better, but I still feel his initial instinct is to chase a hit and that might mean there may be the opportunity to play around him a little bit.
"I don't have any questions about his skill set or his ability - he's proved how good an athlete he is, there's no question about that.
"I prefer him in that six role where he can stick to his primal game. Yes the line-outs are an issue and that's what England have said are the big thing, which I understand, but I still prefer him there.
"Ultimately with him at six, he gives the option of covering both a forward and a back. You can have a five-two split on the bench knowing he can cover a back-row and a centre."
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