Sam Burgess has made his European Rugby Champions Cup debut coming off the bench for English side Bath in a 30-5 win over Montpellier in France.
The former South Sydney NRL star was brought into the game early in the second half with the match safely wrapped up and put in a handful of big hits to announce his presence in stormy conditions.
Burgess was in some danger of being sent off following a huge hit on a falling player, but remained on the field.
Bath, the 1998 champions, started the evening with just a point from two opening defeats to Glasgow and Toulouse.
The English side now have five points, three behind Toulouse and four off pace-setting Glasgow although their chances of making the knockout rounds in the new year remain slim.
Bath cruised to a 23-0 lead at the interval as Montpellier paid a heavy price for their indiscipline with the French side seeing two players sin-binned.
England fly-half George Ford ended the opening 40 minutes with 12 points while Bath grabbed two tries — one from prop Henry Thomas with the second score a penalty try on the stroke of halftime.
It was impossible to keep Thomas out of the action at the Stade Altrad as he was involved in both incidents which saw Montpellier twice reduced to 14 men.
First, flanker Antoine Battut was yellow-carded for taking out Thomas at a ruck.
Bath scored 10 points while Battut was kicking his heels.
Three minutes from the break, lock forward Thibault Privat was also sin-binned after clashing with Thomas at a line-out.
Bath added a third try just after the restart courtesy of No.8 Leroy Houston which Ford converted for 30-0.
RobC
Roar Guru
Just watched the game. Ford was good. Had a hand in at least three of their four tries: - Got the ball wide in space, leading to the 3 on 1 advantage. Knee assist by Burgess - Beaut pass in 2nd channel. Burgess hammered 'decoy' - Last try around 78', put another man into the whole - Generally finding space, and support Burgess was ok. But not the headline for that game. Watson played well. Good backup for Brown injury Montp scrum was good. But their attack in the loose was predictable.
swamprat
Roar Pro
Guys like Burgess don't come around too often. I'm looking ahead to him doing something special for England RWC 2015. Then again he may not. Good luck to him , he could have stayed where he was and remained a mega star in the NRL . The Rabbitohs will miss him but I think he may return.
CJ
Guest
Yeah look forward to seeing how he goes, Louw is back too, he is always good to watch. Apparently montpellier will have an even weaker side than last. At least they will get their BP win this week!
m0b1us
Guest
He's starting Friday apparently...
Cj
Guest
Yep, not sure how you can write a guy off after just playing 30 mins
Bakkies
Guest
Brock James nah he hasn't done a lot for some time. Giteau has won player of the year awards, I think.
swamprat
Roar Pro
Burgess has had no chance yet to show what he can do. A lot of people here can write an article nonetheless about how he did before he did . His game time is about 30 minutes now in rugby so it's a bit early to judge his progress. He is going to be a human wrecking ball and when he goes against SBW next year it's going to be huger than a lot of really huge things.
RampantLion
Guest
Nah, Gits isn't even the best Aussie 10 in France. That's Brock James. And he can't get a game at Clermont since French star ten Camille Lopez has the jersey. Facebook Status: It's Complicated
CJ
Guest
I think Yarde panics (exp can help that) and then makes poor decisions but I don't see him becoming a player that May and Watson can become. Oh man that whole welsh backline are friggin huge!
mattyp
Guest
Very solid week in week out performer for Bath. Fan fave there. There's a fair argument that he's the best Aussie 8 right now, like Gits is the best 10.
Bakkies
Guest
It rarely rains in Montpellier and they have had loads of it this season.
Not Bothered
Guest
Yarde is a quality player but a little down on form, hence him being dropped or benched. Personally I think Eng is on the brink of having a very good bunch of wingers. Nowell, Yarde, Watson and May all show great promise. Im really not a fan of Wade, hes 10 kg smaller than the small international wings and 25-30 kg smaller than guys like North and Savea.
Not Bothered
Guest
Yeah Ford was OK. Cipriani was better in the Saries game though. If Lancaster wants a wide expansive game he needs to drop Farrell and use Ford and Cipriani. If he wants a more direct game then he needs to go back to Farrell and Ford. I dont think he knows what he wants.
Not Bothered
Guest
Burgess hit both players marginally high imo. With Ranger he ended up rolling over the top. The 'hit' he was penalised for was reveiwed and penalised. Although I think both were OK, as Aboos says, they could have both been easily penalised with the way the game is reffed. He doesnt look like a Aviva level player and imo never will. I give him the season before he chucks it in and we see him again in Souths colours.
Not Bothered
Guest
I dont think he will make it as a forward. His only chance is at 12 and I seriously doubt he will be a great success going on this game. My prediction is that he will be back in league but because he doesnt succeed in union. Hes just the wrong player. He would be best suited to the 2nd row with his skill set but to tranistion is too counter instintive for him. There are dozens of players I would pick ahead of Burgess from the NRL. Foran(Manly) for NZ, Tomkins(Warriors) for Eng and Jennings (Roosters) for Aus for example.
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
You do not want to see this game. Unless you are a salesman for plastic/hybrid pitches.
CJ
Guest
Oh yes, Yarde has everyone shaking in their boots :P
CJ
Guest
The 'hit' on Ranger was nothing and the second tackle should not of been penalised. The Montpellier player had both feet on the ground and was hit by the chest of Burgess. It was an awful game, terrible weather and an even worse Montpellier performance, they deserved to be punished
m0b1us
Guest
Apparently Ford had a decent game despite the conditions?
m0b1us
Guest
Be interested to see this game as I don't really rate Thomas. It can only be good if your 4th choice THP is able to turn it on in these bigger games. I'd love to see him pushing Brookes (who I think could be the best of the lot) for the 3rd place spot.