Ashton doubts Burgess selection
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Ashton doubts Burgess selection
Rejected England winger Chris Ashton doubts whether Sam Burgess is ready to compete at the Rugby World Cup.
The high-profile star crossed codes earlier this year and has made England’s final squad for the tournament, but Ashton has his concerns.
“Sam’s won a Grand Final in Australia, he’s played England rugby league, so he has that experience,” Ashton told The Daily Telegraph.
“He’s a big lad. When he walks into a room you look at him. Martin Johnson is a massive bloke who you pay attention to if he walks past you. He has that aura about him.
“On the playing side of it: Sam’s going to be a really good [union] player. If he’s had enough time is another question. I’m not sure he’s had enough time to play at 12 at the level that’s required.
“He can do what we’ve seen him do against France the other day. He’ll smash people and he’ll run all day. But it’s so different to knowing, without having to think, about your job in the team. It’s so different to smashing someone when they run at you.
“He needs to be in the right places and get his hands on the ball at the right time.
"That’s not something I’m convinced he’s had enough time to do just yet. I definitely think he will be an England player, forwards or backs. I’m just not sure on what time scale.
“If they need him to come and play six, he’s played there before, so they’ve got that option as well.”
The high-profile star crossed codes earlier this year and has made England’s final squad for the tournament, but Ashton has his concerns.
“Sam’s won a Grand Final in Australia, he’s played England rugby league, so he has that experience,” Ashton told The Daily Telegraph.
“He’s a big lad. When he walks into a room you look at him. Martin Johnson is a massive bloke who you pay attention to if he walks past you. He has that aura about him.
“On the playing side of it: Sam’s going to be a really good [union] player. If he’s had enough time is another question. I’m not sure he’s had enough time to play at 12 at the level that’s required.
“He can do what we’ve seen him do against France the other day. He’ll smash people and he’ll run all day. But it’s so different to knowing, without having to think, about your job in the team. It’s so different to smashing someone when they run at you.
“He needs to be in the right places and get his hands on the ball at the right time.
"That’s not something I’m convinced he’s had enough time to do just yet. I definitely think he will be an England player, forwards or backs. I’m just not sure on what time scale.
“If they need him to come and play six, he’s played there before, so they’ve got that option as well.”
