Sam Burgess back in the mix for England

When Sam Burgess signed for Bath, many in rugby union were excited to see him switch codes, but there was a widespread feeling that he would take time to settle.

When his start was further delayed by a fractured eye socket and broken cheekbone, it seemed even less likely that he would challenge for an England spot in time for the 2015 World Cup.

In his first appearance, Burgess lined up as an inside centre, and his lack of experience was clear to see. Used to imposing himself on games in the 13 man code, Burgess look a frustrated figure as he was had to wait for the ball to come his way.

In interviews, he was honest about how it was taking him longer than expected to get to grips with the sport. At Bath, he was second choice inside centre, behind Kyle Eastmond, another league convert, so it also began to look as if he wouldn’t get enough quality game time to help him along the learning curve.

Some began to whisper that he might even give up and return to Australia.

From the beginning, however, Bath coach Mike Ford thought Burgess was best suited to the back row, specifically the blind side. Initially, he might have avoided playing him there, because the position requires skill at the breakdown and line-out, which would have been beyond someone who had never seen either.

Later, Ford probably looked to help England, who seemed to want to Burgess developed as a centre.

Well, Ford finally decided to play his man in the back row after all and, from only three games, he’s delighted with the decision. Suddenly there’s a new buzz about Sam Burgess in the press, and it’s now expected that Lancaster will include him in his World Cup training squad.

Still, it’s fair to say opinions are divided over whether he could, or should, make the final cut.

For Bath coach Mike Ford, the benefit is clear to see in his greater involvement. Burgess played 62 minutes against Harlequins at the weekend, and was involved in 46 plays. The next highest involvement from any other player on the field was 41 plays, but flanker Francois Louw took the full 80 minutes to register that number. In an earlier game, he won man of the match.

At centre, Burgess felt he was dropping passes more than he ever did in league. He says he has talked with the coaching team about why that might be, and is now more comfortable. He said he wasn’t used to giving or receiving spin passes to the same degree. That, combined with seeing the ball at lot less, may have affected his control.

Some remain unconvinced that Burgess has enough experience to handle responsibilities at six, and it’s true his line-out work remains below average.

His coach thinks his versatility might now be an advantage, allowing England to go for a 6-2 split on the bench, with the option of using him as a crash ball centre or workaholic flanker. Perhaps not the best in either position, but a useful combination to have on the bench.

Still, Burgess has won over a few doubters with his recent performances and his club has at least two more big Premiership games left in the season. If they make it to the English final, then he may even have a bigger stage to show Stuart Lancaster what he can do.

Burgess is not ruling himself out. He feels he has enough time to learn more but he’s also proud and competitive.

“If the chance came to represent my country, I would give my utmost to represent it the best I could. I would never say, ‘I don’t think I am ready’. I would always put my hand up and give it my best shot.”