Coach Stuart Lancaster has floated the possibility of Sam Burgess making his England rugby debut for the Saxons against the Irish Wolfhounds on January 30.
Burgess’ first taste of rugby union unfolded over 17 minutes as a second-half replacement in Bath’s comprehensive Premiership victory over Harlequins on Friday.
The 25-year-old former rugby league star carried with intent and cleared out a ruck in a promising, if unspectacular debut.
England are desperate to fill their problematic inside-centre position and Burgess will be a contender if he adapts quickly to the new code.
When asked if Burgess could make his Six Nations squad, Lancaster said: “That would be a big step, but who knows? We’ll wait and see. If he plays well, there’s a Saxons game in January.
“Sam is a player who will be of interest, without a doubt. It took about three Quins players to stop him.
“He’s a powerful man and it will be nice to see him get a few more games and put his hand up.”
Burgess will be involved in Bath’s Champions Cup clash with Montpellier on Friday and is likely to be joined in that squad by George Ford, who enjoyed a breakthrough November Test series for England.
Ford built on his strong full debut against Samoa with another composed display in Saturday’s (Sunday AEDT) 26-17 victory over the Wallabies, and only a collapse in form would prevent him starting ahead of Owen Farrell against Wales on February 6.
“I think George has done enough for a run in the team, but I’m sure Owen will have something to say about that in the next five or six weeks,” Lancaster said.
ABOOS.
Guest
Yeah Reality has it wrong. NH crunch games are more intense because far more is up for grabs. There are European spots and promotion and relegation. Super Rugby is generally of a slightly higher quality but the new European comp is very close. Imo there are easily 15 teams in Europe of a higher quality than Super Rugbys worst teams and with the addition of the extra teams in Super Rugby in 2016 and the exodus of players to the NH it is my opinion that as of 2016/2017 the best comp will be the European comp.
ABOOS.
Guest
Imagining things?
ABOOS.
Guest
C.Smith is the Flash comparred to Burgess.
ENGLAND FORWARD
Guest
Spot on
Lano
Roar Guru
I really want to see him succeed. It may pave the way for more players from the NRL with "attitude" joing Union. and we need some mongrel in the pack.
Birdy
Guest
I watched that game, Phil. The last 25 minutes were as you describe because the heavens opened and Bath were killing the game off because they were holding a lead. The first hour or so was actually a very good game of rugby. My guess is if he 'wished to be in Sydney' then, you know, that's where he'd be. Bath are in the Heineken Cup which after the pool stages is comfortably of SR standards and can actually make the claim that the games resemble test rugby rather more. He'll be living in one of the most beautiful towns there is; surrounded by magnificent English countryside; yet only 90 minutes from London. I reckon he'll tough it out - he's a brave lad.
PhillNZ
Guest
Hey Reality like your attitude. There have been better attacking games in the Aviva Premiership , it was just this game , 3 yellow cards for illegal scrimmaging , resets, no contest scrums all in the last 20 minutes. A good point to come out of the game was the crowds appreciation of Burgess , you wouldn't get that going the other way. I have seen some good games , mainly 3pm kick off , nice days and packs going at it with attacking back lines. But hey there are more Englishman in a world XV than AB's , so you must be doing something right!! http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11367498
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Robinson switched codes in November and played for Lions 8 months later. ABOOS - Who cares how slow he runs over 20-30m, any team likes a guy that can do that with 3 people on his back.
Reality
Guest
As a pom I do agree with you Phil, apart from 'it was a dreadful, lacklustre typical mid winter raining scrum penalty English game played at a snails pace." It gets a lot worse than this!! the conditions looked positively delightful! But there is no equivalent to SR intensity in the NH, his aim is to play for England so he needs to be playing there, I would say Bath (or Gloucester) is the best place for him. THey are rugby mad in the South West and hopefully he will appreciate the passion.
Pickett
Guest
Too soon imo. But should be star in 2 years.
richard
Guest
If Burgess can come up to speed,he will be a great asset to the English team.It is learning the intracicies of the game that will be the problem. But if he can,he could be truly formidable.The man is simply a beast.
Leister Rutledge
Guest
Gold
Terence
Guest
The English game is of such a low standard that England have won 4 of the last 5 matches against the Wallabies.
bundy
Guest
Would be great to see a WC final semi final with SBW and Burgess both @12 smashing each other with the odd offload
PhillNZ
Guest
The game was not a good intro to English rugby , it was a dreadful, lacklustre typical mid winter raining scrum penalty English game played at a snails pace. I bet he wished he was back in Sydney wearing his bungee smugglers! Seriously this game did little for Burgess, he needs to be blooded , he has the mental as well as physical attitude , shame English pro rugby is of a lower standard hence all the southerners who are propping it up, he could walk into any English team and that's after 1 game.
pat malone
Guest
makes for a better headline
Daws
Guest
C.Smith is pretty slow in the centres, but thrives on his excellent link play and defense. I reckon Burgess will be great once he gets his head around the defensive patterns in union.
AndyS
Guest
A little poetic licence I guess. It is England A and locks him in, so I suppose it could be called his England debut but not yet his Test debut.
melbourneterrace
Guest
Debuting for the Saxons is not debuting for England.
swamprat
Roar Pro
Hes gonna be massive in Union . Why do so many want him to fail? I can only guess the keyboard sportsmen here can see in him what they could never be.