New coach Wayne Bennett has capped Sam Burgess’ return to rugby league by handing him the England captaincy ahead of the Four Nations Series.
The announcement was made by Bennett at a press conference at the team’s hotel in London on Monday.
The 27-year-old South Sydney forward has been chosen, ahead of Canterbury skipper James Graham, as the successor to Wigan forward Sean O’Loughlin, who was last week ruled out of the Four Nations through injury.
“Sam will be our captain,” Bennett said.
“He leads from the front.”
Graham is set to lead England in Saturday’s international against France in Avignon because Burgess still has to serve a one-match ban carried over from the NRL season, but he will be back to captain his country for the first time in their opening Four Nations clash with New Zealand at Huddersfield a week later.
Burgess, who led the Rabbitohs this year when Greg Inglis was absent through injury or representative duty, has long been touted as a future England captain and will provide them with a public relations coup.
The appointment of Burgess, who is joined in England’s 24-man squad by his twin brothers George and Tom, comes less than 12 months since he returned to rugby league following an ill-fated spell in rugby union.
Burgess, a big-money buy for Bath, spent 11 months in the 15-man code but won five caps for England under Stuart Lancaster before cutting short his stay and returning to Souths on a three-year deal.
“It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be asked to captain my country and lead this group,” said Burgess.
“My mum got a bit emotional.
“I want to thank Wayne for having the trust and belief that I can do the job and I am determined to do my best for this team.
“Although I am captain on the field for this tournament, there are a group of leaders in this squad and I know that we will work together and as hard as possible to try to achieve success on the pitch for England.”
He becomes the seventh captain of the national side in the past decade, during which time Australia have had two men – Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith – in charge.
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