BATH RUGBY HEAD coach Mike Ford today revealed that Sam Burgess is frustrated by his start to life in the 15-man code.
Burgess arrived in England to much fanfare after helping the South Sydney Rabbitohs to the 2014 NRL championship and the 26-year old impressed early.
And while talk recently has turned to a possible inclusion in Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad after making his bow for England Saxons against Ireland Wolfhounds last month, Burgess cut a frustrated figure as Bath lost 21-13 to Aviva Premiership leaders Northampton Saints on Saturday.
“In the last two weeks we have had a plan to get Sam in the game from set-pieces and we have not delivered,” said Ford.
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“We are lacking a general to get him into the game in phase play and it is disappointing. He is very positive and he is getting to understand that you do not get many chances in a game, four or five compared to 20 in league, so you have to deliver when you get an opportunity.
“We’re not saying that by April he’s got to be the best centre in the country or anything like that. We’ll take it game by game and the more he plays, the better he’ll get. He realises the hype that greeted his arrival.
“I think he had a perception that he’d come in and pick up the game straight away. Things frustrate him: the scrums and the time the ball is out of play. He’s standing around getting cold. He has to deal with it all and then take his chances.”
Slammin' Sam Burgess frustrated by rugby union progress
BATH RUGBY HEAD coach Mike Ford today revealed that Sam Burgess is frustrated by his start to life in the 15-man code.
Burgess arrived in England to much fanfare after helping the South Sydney Rabbitohs to the 2014 NRL championship and the 26-year old impressed early.
And while talk recently has turned to a possible inclusion in Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad after making his bow for England Saxons against Ireland Wolfhounds last month, Burgess cut a frustrated figure as Bath lost 21-13 to Aviva Premiership leaders Northampton Saints on Saturday.
“In the last two weeks we have had a plan to get Sam in the game from set-pieces and we have not delivered,” said Ford.
“We are lacking a general to get him into the game in phase play and it is disappointing. He is very positive and he is getting to understand that you do not get many chances in a game, four or five compared to 20 in league, so you have to deliver when you get an opportunity.
“I think he had a perception that he’d come in and pick up the game straight away. Things frustrate him: the scrums and the time the ball is out of play. He’s standing around getting cold. He has to deal with it all and then take his chances.”
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All-Ireland Senior HC Aviva Premiership England Frustrated lonely figure Rugby Rugby Union Slammin' Sam Bath Rugby Northampton Saints