Rugby World Cup: Burgess 'to quit union' as England unravel
Rugby league convert could return to the 13-man game as England stars fear World Cup feedback will be leaked to media
Bookmakers have stopped taking bets on Sam Burgess returning to rugby league amid growing speculation the England centre is planning to quit union less than a year after making the switch from the 13-man code. According to Sky Sports rumours are gathering pace that Burgess "is set to join Leeds Rhinos" from Premiership club Bath once England's World Cup campaign is over.
The host nation - knocked out of the group stage after successive defeats to Wales and Australia - face Uruguay on Saturday at the City of Manchester stadium in what is possibly the most meaningless fixture in the history of the England rugby team.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
When Coach Stuart Lancaster announced his team for the fixture there was no sign of Burgess' name, a curious omission considering he has long been talked up as a future star of English rugby.
A run out against the minnows of Uruguay who, fingers crossed, even England should beat, would have been just the sort of match for Burgess to develop his skills. The fact the 26-year-old Yorkshireman has been dropped (he started the Wales match and came off the bench against Australia) caused raised eyebrows among the press pack, which forced Lancaster to address the issue.
"I've not had any conversations with him about a move to rugby league at all," said the England coach when asked. "Genuinely, 100 per cent I didn't know that story was out there... he feels he's made good strides as a player and he wants to continue to improve."
Asked why Burgess hadn't been selected against Uruguay, Lancaster said it was simply because he wanted to see how Owen Farrell and Henry Slade combined in the centre.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reports that the Rugby Football Union's plan to hold a "360-degree" review of what went wrong with England's World Cup campaign is in danger of unravelling. According to the paper "several players could snub it or provide only guarded feedback" because they fear their comments could be leaked to the media.
England's team announcements in this World Cup have all found their way into the press a day or two before they were officially released, and it appears that has spooked some of the players. "There is likely to be some critical feedback but I am not sure many of them will trust that it will be an anonymous survey so I think they will be guarded in what they say or just not take part," a squad source told the Telegraph.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Rejuvenated England show spirit, unity and ‘never-say-die courage’
feature Eddie Jones’s new-look side complete autumn Test clean sweep by toppling South Africa
By The Week Staff Published
-
A World Cup every two years - for football and rugby union?
Pros and Cons Governing bodies of both sports are discussing the option of biennial tournaments
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rugby union lawsuits: impact could be ‘astronomical’ for governing bodies
Speed Read RPA says training protocols ‘need addressing very quickly’ over head injuries
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Eddie Jones to lead England at 2023 Rugby World Cup and Barcelona want Neymar-Griezmann deal
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 2 April
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Joe Marler gets ten-week ban for testicle grab and Wales vs. Scotland is off
Daily Briefing Ten things from the world of sport on Friday 13 March
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘We owe them one’: Eddie Jones and England are out for revenge against Wales
The Week Recommends Defending champions Wales expect a tough challenge at Twickenham
By The Week Staff Published
-
Coronavirus: England’s Six Nations finale in Italy is postponed
Speed Read Six Nations organisers intend to reschedule the match at a later date
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Today’s back pages: Mako Vunipola virus shock for England rugby and a howler by ‘Adriaaaan’ gifts Chelsea FA Cup win
Daily Briefing A round-up of the sport headlines from UK newspapers on 4 March
By The Week Staff Published