Sam Burgess has opened up on what contributed to England‘s downfall at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
In a series of tweets, the rugby league convert claimed ‘individual egos’ and ‘selfish players’ had led to the host nation’s demise when exiting the tournament at the pool stage.
And the centre continues to receive messages three years later about the World Cup that cost England head coach Stuart Lancaster his job, while Andy Farrell, Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt all departed soon after.
Playing five caps for the Red Rose, including three in the World Cup against Fiji, Wales and Australia, Burgess posted:
I seem to be getting a few tweets regarding the Rugby WC in 2015….Still. If people actually rewatched the games I participated in You will see I added to the team. What cost us an early exit was individual egos and selfish players not following our leader. Which ….
— Sam Burgess (@SamBurgess8) November 27, 2018
Essentially cost the coach and other great men their jobs. Tournaments are not won by the coaching staff or one player. It takes a commitment from the full group. I guarantee you this, I was committed but others had their own agendas. I have fond memories of my time in RU
— Sam Burgess (@SamBurgess8) November 27, 2018
And some great friends. One day I will tell my side of the story but for now I love watching @EnglandRugby and cannot wait to see them as they prepare for the 2019 WC in Japan.
— Sam Burgess (@SamBurgess8) November 27, 2018
Burgess’ blockbuster move from the NRL to rugby union with Bath was fraught with debate over where his best position – centre or number 8.
The Sydney Rabbitohs star signed a lucrative three-year contract to move to the Rec in October 2014, 13 months before the World Rugby showpiece.
But Burgess’ stay at Bath proved to be short lived as he returned to the NRL soon after the end of the World Cup. A decision which struck then Bath director of rugby Mike Ford as unexpected.
“Everyone knows he was a world-class rugby league player but I thought he was a guy who was going to have a go and stick it out,” Ford said.
“He played in the World Cup and I thought he was going to come back to the club, get his head down and play at the back-row here and become a world-class player. As players we expected him to stay here, but he’s not.
