Sam Burgess is pure gold to have in the camp says Dave Attwood
Fifty of England’s finest convene in Surrey tomorrow and while critics have questioned Burgess’s inclusion because of his inexperience in Union, Attwood has no such doubts over the former South Sydney Rugby League star’s ability to shine.
Attwood told The Rugby Paper: “Sam’s had a massive impact at Bath. He’s a very experienced rugby player, first and foremost, and the way he behaves and performs around our squad in training has been a great example to everyone.
“He does things in a certain way that is worth taking note of and he’s made the transition into the game well in the back row, where we’ve been getting the most out of him.
“He’s been getting more touches of the ball and is able to exert himself physically, which is facilitating the skill-sets he’s got. It means Kyle Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph can run around and open up big holes for Sam to smash through.
“That’s been great for us and he’s settled in at Bath really well. He fully merits his place in England’s training squad.”
Of Burgess’s World Cup chances, Attwood adds: “He’s a live contender for that squad and the way he finished the season for us, he did things really well.
“It’s not just the star moments, he does a lot of the graft as well, and the way he behaves around the squad means he’s an integral member of our Bath team already around the whole environment.
“He does a lot of things that keep the rest of us moving and if that was a key motivator for us and why we finished the season so strongly, he’s definitely going to be worth his weight in gold around the England set-up in the coming weeks.
“The way he’ll behave around camp and the way he talks, his contribution will be invaluable. He’ll certainly be very influential in how people train and perform.”
Attwood heads into camp knowing he faces the mother of all battles to retain his place as one of England’s key second row lieutenants.
Disappointed to have been left out of England’s final Six Nations match against France, when Nick Easter’s ability to cover both second and back row earned him the nod instead, Attwood is amongst seven candidates vying for four squad places.
Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling, George Kruis, Ed Slater and Saracens sensation Maro Itoje are others in the running, and Attwood said: “Everyone’s pretty much back fit and I’m expecting a huge battle with seven of us going at it.
“I was desperately gutted not to be involved in that last game against France, but that was the decision and I supported it entirely. Unfortunately, I had to sit on the side and watch and was powerless to contribute, which was quite frustrating.
“But I was pleased with my overall contribution and I had a few very good games for England over the season. The way I finished the season at Bath won’t do me any discredit, but it will be a tough camp and I’m sure the right decisions will be made.”
While Bath ended their season without silverware after losing the Premiership final in disappointing circumstances to Saracens, Attwood believes the pain of that 28-16 loss will be a powerful motivator in driving the West Country club to future success.
He explained: “I still don’t think I’ve come to terms with it yet and I’m quite a believer that if you’re going to go through such devastating heartache that we had, it needs to be productive and you can’t just shrug your shoulders and say, ‘move on’.
“There’s an awful lot of motivation to be gained and Saracens showed that after missing out in two finals last year. It was something they had in their armoury that we didn’t, so I will definitely hold on to that feeling of devastation after the final.”
Attwood insists Bath have made huge strides, though, and says a Champions Cup draw that sees them pitted with Leinster, Wasps and three-times defending champions Toulon should hold no fears for a side on the up under boss Mike Ford. He said: “Everyone who’s watched the Premiership thinks that Bath is making progress.
“All the neutrals felt we were one of the most exciting teams to watch and we were doing things Bath hadn’t done for a while and enjoyed doing it.
“We were playing the kind of rugby people want to watch, it was exciting to be part of and when you look at some of the performances, like twice beating Leicester at home and thrashing Toulouse away, Bath haven’t done that for a long time.
“Hopefully, having lost a Premiership final and had a taste of the knock-out stages in Europe last season, we can move things on again and be better.
“We’ve got a great European draw and although they’re all massive fixtures and it’s a tough Pool to be in, I think we’ve demonstrated that we’re not scared to play rugby wherever we go and we’ll be looking to go to all those places and play.
“We’re not going to be shy and timid or worry about who we’re playing, we’re going to do what we’ve done so far and we’re capable of progressing against anybody. Toulon are the titans of European rugby but somebody has to stop them!”
For now, though, Attwood has England on his mind, his sole focus being to make that World Cup squad. He added: “My motivation is to make a big impression, stay fit, train hard and give meaning to the sacrifices we’ll make over the summer.
“We’re talking about spending a lot of time away from family and that’s only worthwhile if you put the effort in and give yourself an opportunity to be involved in a World Cup. It’s an opportunity to be relished and no stone will be left unturned.”
NEALE HARVEY
