There was the good, the bad but not really the ugly as cross-coder Sam Burgess made his international rugby union debut for England.
The home team walked away 19-14 winners over France with Burgess playing the full 80 minutes.
The former South Sydney star threw himself about in a bid to claim a spot in the upcoming World Cup.
Starting alongside fellow debutant Henry Slade in the centres, Burgess was eager to impress.
In the first half 26-year-old had some strong runs and tackles. He made a statement in defence, helping put one French player into touch and smashing another with a big hit.
It was the kind of imposing tackle he was best known for in the NRL.
He did give away an early penalty for not rolling away, which Morgan Parra nailed to get France a 3-0 lead.
Burgess didn’t get a lot of ball in the first 40 but played a role in England’s second try, with a nice inside pass to keep the move flowing, which ended in Anthony Watson’s second five-pointer.
Just before half-time came the bad. He was yellow-carded when he was offside and pulled Parra down as the halfback tried to take a quick tap.
It was a silly decision, not a malicious one, from Burgess but he was marched for 10. Apparently Burgess has made history as the first England player to be yellow-carded on debut.
‘Slamming Sammy’ does like to make a statement.
In the second half opportunities were rare for Burgess. England were largely on the back foot, with another player yellow-carded, and his impact was minimal. The Pom’s scrum struggled and their lineout was wonky.
Burgess carried well and again got through a load of work in defence, but there was no offloads or line-breaking.
All in all it was a solid debut for Dewsbury boy.
Burgess’ ability as a ball-carrier, his size, strength and power suits the kind of game that England is best known for. He will hit up and smash opponents in the tackle all day.
He won’t create or throw brilliant passes, or kick like a Conrad Smith, but alongside him he had a 13 in Slade who was doing those things with aplomb. Essentially Slade was playing the traditional inside centre role and Burgess the outside centre.
Has Burgess done enough to book a position at the World Cup? That’s the million dollar question.
I get the feeling that Stuart Lancaster will include him in his squad because of his x-factor quality, his big-game experience and because he’s a leader.
He’s still finding his feet as a centre and is certainly better equipped as a backrow forward. But with time running out it looks like the backs or bust for England and Burgess, and there’s one game left before the squad is announced.
Another decent game from the ex-Rabbitoh, in Paris next weekend, could be enough for him to get the nod for September and October.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Birdy
Guest
Spot on Colin N.
Colin N
Guest
England are at a point where they can actually accommodate Barritt. Previously, when he was in the team, Farrell was at fly-half and Tuilagi was at outside centre. That meant a lack of pace and creativity in the midfield, but with Ford and Joseph there, England could really use that defensive solidity which Barritt brings. England's defence was shoddy in the Six Nations so having him there should, on the face it, improve that aspect. If it doesn't work then at least with Burrell, Burgess and Slade (I'm discounting Twelvetrees on the assumption he's going to be dropped, irrespective of what he does on Saturday) you have different options to choose from.
Birdy
Guest
In the match day 23? I think I'd go for: Mako Vunipola; Brookes; George; Atwood; Morgan; Care; Farrell; Nowell The Haskell/Wood one is close. Wood gives you a very good extra lineout option; Haskell more ball-carrying and physicality. I think they'll go for Barritt over Burrell as they see him as the defensive 'captain'. He's not popular with England fans as he has clear limitations in attack - but the coaches love him for the physicality and organization he brings and I think they'll reckon there's enough pace and threat both outside and inside him to compensate.
riddler
Guest
mate looks like a nice team.. haskell i think has his nose in front of wood but personally prefer wood.. not 100% sure it will be barritt over burrell.. but a nice choice to have.. can't see danny making it personally.. but who knows.. either way great looking squad and seem to have a bit of team harmony.. who would be your 8 reserves?
Birdy
Guest
Yep; not far from the starting team, Riddler. The pack is very close with the only debate between Haskell and Wood. Watson is a certainty, so the game is a shootout between May and Nowell for the other winger's berth. Barritt will partner Joseph so this is Burrell and Twelvetrees (from the bench) last chance to edge ahead of Slade and Burgess for a squad place. Cipriani's last chance from the bench as well.
riddler
Guest
pommie team just announced for the return fixture in paris.. looks very close to the first xv.. personally prefer watson to may.. but looks like a very, very solid team.. am a fan of lancaster and team of coaches.. they have developed this squad out of a fairly ordinary 2011 squad that seemed to be filled with a few too many of the lads etc.. should be a great game!!
SDHoneymonster
Guest
I know it's wishful thinking and that Barritt is inked in (and therefore Joseph can look forward to a tournament of being the marked man as teams know Barritt offers little threat, and he'll be criticised for not working miracles) but it makes no sense to me to take him, Burgess and Farrell - at 12 Burgess is essentially the same sort of player as Barritt but he offers more: bigger tackles, bigger carries (for a player his size Barritt is ineffective when it comes to getting over the gainline), a touch more pace (not that that's saying much - neither are exactly speedsters) and just as capable of leading the defensive line, seeing as England basically use a rugby league system and his leadership qualities are pretty much why he's involved in the first place. Farrell could also play the defensive general role if needed and he'd bring the fly-half skills to it to boot. Basically, rather than it being Burgess v Burrell as is being reported, for me it should be Burgess v Barritt!
Higgik
Guest
Goode will be in, as he can play 10 or 15, Barritt, will be in for his organisational skills so who would you drop? My suggestion would be Cipriani, same role a Goode, but not as reliable, and possibly Nowell, as Brown can cover wing.
Birdy
Guest
The team will be stronger next Saturday, but I don't think Lancaster will run the first xv until the Ireland game after the 31 have been named. Why give up the chance to see the contenders for the last few positions?
Birdy
Guest
Barritt will partner Joseph in the starting XV.
riddler
Guest
agree.. think goode will go.. he had a cracker on saturday.. used to think he was quite one dimensional but he was fantastic slipping into first receiver when needed.. hope corbs gets the jersey, personal fav of mine.. looking forward to sat.. psa will put a make some changes and i think lancaster will give his first xv a proper run with reserves to be filled with the positions and players he is not yet 100% certain about..
JonA
Guest
Good and Barritt will go. I don't think he'll take six props - Corbs or Brookes will miss out. Should have kept Kvesic and played Robshaw at 6. I don't think Cips will go unless he gets another chance (a real one, not just a cameo) and tears it up.
JonA
Guest
Right. BB and JJ will be the starters. Hopefully he's seen the light with Slade and takes him - fantastic footballer and completely nerveless.
JonA
Guest
I'd say he definitely knows his preferred 23 - rightly or wrongly. He's got to shed a prop, a lock or two, a BR or two and a couple of backs I'd guess hence the reason we didn't see that many usual starters on Saturday. I think this Saturday's team will feature more players from that preferred 23. That French pack was big, strong and capable fortunately their backs were awful. I'd like to see how the Wallabies third string would have fared. Remember, England lost a prop through injury, were on 14 men for 20 minutes and had three guys earning their first full cap - one of whom has only being playing Union since November - and still managed to win. I think you'd be making a grave error judging England's forward strength on that showing.
Harry Jones
Expert
Not Bothered: No room for Brad Barritt?
Not Bothered
Guest
I think he knows who the likely 31 will be but he wants to have injury cover able to slot in easily and they need time at international level to be able to do that. My educated guess is 1) A.Corbisiero 2) M.Vunipola 3) J.Marler 4) T.Youngs 5) J.Webber 6) J.George 7) D.Cole 8) D.Wilson 9) K.Brookes 10) D.Attwood 11) G.Parling 12) C.Lawes 13) J.Launchbury 14) C.Robshaw 15) T.Wood 16) J.Haskell 17) B.Vunipola 18) B.Morgan 19) B.Youngs 20) D.Care 21) R.Wigglesworth 22) O.Farrell 23) G.Ford 24) D.Cipriani 25) J.Joseph 26) H.Slade 27) L.Burrell 28) A.Watson 29) J.May 30) J.Nowell 31) M.Brown
Not Bothered
Guest
Have you not been watching ever single other team? Why single out Eng? NZ, Aus, Wales, Ire, Sco and Arg have been experinenting too. Cheika did it in the Bledisloe decider!!!! And why would Lancaster be any different?
riddler
Guest
probably about 80% french first xv pack.. but then again.. france is probably the only team in the world where they could put out three completely different xv's and be very competitive.. it is a very strange beast french rugby..
riddler
Guest
he won't be in the starting xv.. but he is a handy player and by all accounts a great team man.. originally thought he shouldn't be in the 31 as a centre but have to admit i don't see it as bad inclusion for team dynamics and harmony and attitude.. our teams in both 91 and 99 had guys who didn't make the 22 and were great to have on tour and be part of the dynamic..
Birdy
Guest
Yep; pretty much agree with that, JM.