Jeff Probyn: Barrie-Jon Mather’s baptism must be a warning for Sam Burgess

The fanfare that has followed the news that Sam Burgess is to play for Bath next year is once again fostering the impression that just by the RFU signing a couple of league stars, we will win the World Cup.
Time and time again since the first international player transferred from the 13-man game to newly professional Union, when Jason Robinson signed for Bath in 1996 (re-signed with Sale 2000), every time a player signs, the talk has been about what an impact he will make and normally, for whatever reason, it’s wrong.
There are a few who believe that almost any of the top League players would be an asset to the Union game and should be bought in no matter what the cost – even though history proves that wrong.
This time, they will say it will be different because, with the size and skills that Burgess has, he will make a big impact on the Union game but are they forgetting the second signing from League in 1998, Barrie-Jon Mather who was bigger. His international career amounted to one cap – in the Grand Slam decider loss to Wales in 1999.
Mather at 6ft 7in (201cm) and 16st 5lb (104 kg) was a giant compared to other international centres back then, whereas Burgess at 6ft 5in (196cm) and 18st 4lb (116kg) is just about the average size now.
Having said that, I’m making a big assumption he will be playing in the backs as currently he is playing either prop or second row for South Sydney and although I don’t think there is much chance of him making the highly specialised positions of the front row in Union – certainly not in time for the 2015 RWC, but maybe the back row (probably No.8) is possible, as is centre or wing.
People may think I am against cross-code players but that’s not entirely true. In fact, I think it could be a good idea to teach all minis and juniors League until 14 or 15, then introduce the more complex Union areas like competitive scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls.
The problem always confronted by top League converts, along with over-hyped media expectations, is they are usually pushed into the England set-up far too early without enough time to really adapt to the differences between both codes.
Even if they are ostensibly playing the same position, the addition of two extra players plus the fact that a tackle doesn’t stop the game, changes the possibilities in attack and defence and players need to adjust to a different game tempo.
I played with a number of ‘cross-over’ players at Bedford and many were very good players with a degree of fitness and professionalism way above the levels found in Union at the time.
Even so, it didn’t take long for the differences to emerge during games, leaving the League players exposed and sometimes out of place and although the codes have moved closer in terms of defence styles, they are still worlds apart.
So much so, that when cross-code club games take place, League is played to the laws of that game – but Union has to be modified in the forwards to protect the League players from potential injury.
There is no doubt that all who crossed over were, and are, skilled athletes who reached the top of their chosen sport but that sport wasn’t Rugby Union it was Rugby League and despite the similarities, they are not the same game.
When you look at the list of players – Mather, Robinson, Lesley Vainikolo, Shontayne Hape, Henry Paul, Michael Horak, Andy Farrell, Chris Ashton, Joel Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond – many of whose transfers were at least part paid for by the RFU, all performed well at club level but only one, Robinson, repaid the faith, expectation and RFU money and even he had to take two bites of the cherry before finally making the grade. Currently there are not too many areas in the England squad where there isn’t a degree of strength in depth with a potential of at least two players in every position.
Lancaster has said that there will be no ‘fast track’ to the England squad for Burgess and that he would have to earn his place. As Bath are yet to decide what position Burgess is to play, it’s impossible to know whether or not he has the potential of becoming an England player, let alone a World Cup contender.