Bath coach Mike Ford believes Sam Burgess is ready for Test match rugby as a flanker despite just four English Premiership appearances in the back row.
World Cup hopeful Burgess should be named in England’s 45-man wider training squad on Wednesday, before facing up to Leicester Tigers for Bath in Saturday’s Premiership semi-final.
The 26-year-old only switched from centre to back-row last month – and from league to union in December – but Ford has backed the former South Sydney NRL forward to feature in the England pack.
“Do I think he could play international football at six (blindside flanker) now? Yes I do,” said Ford.
“You have a look at the work-rate and what he does with his carries, tackles and hitting rucks, it’s very good.”
England head coach Stuart Lancaster has always viewed Burgess as a centre so far, with Manu Tuilagi’s exile for assaulting police officers perhaps opening another avenue for the former rugby league star.
Former England defence coach Ford expects Lancaster to hand Burgess his Test debut during the summer’s World Cup warm-up Tests, and again pushed his case as a flanker not an inside centre.
Burgess claimed a try as Bath completed the regular Premiership season with a high-octane 50-30 west country derby victory over Gloucester at The Recreation Ground last weekend.
Ford believes another workaholic performance was further indication that the back-row is the place for “the real Sam Burgess”.
“He’s still learning; his work-rate again at the weekend was phenomenal,” said Ford.
“But his try at the weekend, close your eyes and that’s the real Sam Burgess.
“The way he hit the line, the way he fended and then he stepped the full-back to go over the line, planting the ball down one-handed.
“That’s what I envisaged what I first signed him, those sort of lines and that kind of running.
“You can say what he can’t do and what he struggles with, the line-outs the mauls and maybe the technicalities.
“But you’ve also got to look at what he can do, and working with him every day Stuart Lancaster and the coaches are going to see a leader, a true leader, who is selfless, the first word out of his mouth is always team, who has the ability during the pressure games to say ‘give me the ball and I’ll do what I have to do for you’ and keep that control and perspective.”
MARTO
Guest
They wont win the cup without him either..
True story
Guest
If Burgess gets selected in the English pack, I doubt very much that England could win the World Cup. Another two or three seasons would make all the difference.
Not Bothered
Guest
Its his coach. They always, ALWAYS back their players. You dont even have to ask them because you know what their response will be. They would be better off with Armitage.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
If Ford who is a former England defence coach thinks Burgess will be selected and he has faith in his ability to perform at the highest level then he has the vote of confidence of a great ally. The English backrow are slow and boring,Burgess will thrive!!
WALLABY BOB
Guest
As i said earlier on another blog " I hope they dont pick him for the RWC but Sam is a natural for 6 or 8 and fortunatley the english coaches can see it and he " WILL " get picked. Lucky the pommy fans aren`t selectors cos he`d be on a boat back to the NRL by now.. etc etc
Woodsman
Guest
“You can say what he can’t do and what he struggles with, the line-outs the mauls and maybe the technicalities" You can't just ignore these shortcomings. The above are an integral part of a forwards job and until he is at least proficient in these areas he can't fulfill his key roles. No way would you want that sort of liability at the RWC. Needs more time and I'm sure he will hit his straps in the future.
Birdy
Guest
Ultimately, I'm sure Burgess could be a star at '6'. I'm not sure for the RWC, though. Two problems. First, inexperience at the technicalities of a key position. Second, with Vunipola and Robshaw virtually nailed on, there is a lineout weakness if Burgess plays as well. Not sure two lineout jumpers is enough at international level.
Harry Jones
Expert
He's playing with Francois Louw. Flo says Sam is the real deal at loose forward. We shall see. That's a better fit, I think.