England
Sam Burgess dismisses criticism from Bath coach Mike Ford
PA Sport
November 11, 2015
Sam Burgess returns to Sydney

Sam Burgess dismissed criticism from Bath coach Mike Ford as he arrived back in Australia where he pledged his long-term future to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Ford on Tuesday criticised Burgess' return to rugby league and the Rabbitohs just 12 months into his three-year Bath deal, claiming the 26-year-old "didn't have the stomach" to stay and fight for a future in rugby union.

Sam Burgess speaks to the media, South Sydney Rabbitohs press conference, Sydney International Airport, Sydney, November 11, 2015
Sam Burgess speaks to the media in Sydney © Getty Images
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However, Burgess insisted he could be proud of his short spell in rugby union.

"I went there, I met some cool people and had a great time learning a new game," Burgess said in a press conference at Sydney Airport. "I played 20, 21 games for Bath and five games for my country in a short space of time.

"Everyone is saying that is a failure but if you saw the work that went in, the commitment to get in that position, I'm proud of what I achieved.

"Mike may be a bit upset and that's fine. What did he say? That I missed my mum? Who doesn't miss their mum? I'm not afraid to say that. Fordy is entitled to say what he wants but I think that's more a reflection on himself than me."

Bath captain Stuart Hooper denied Burgess the chance to meet with his teammates there to say a proper farewell, while fly-half George Ford said he had let down his fellow players.

But Burgess insisted he had handled himself and the situation well, and that most of his team-mates understood.

"If I'm honest there are very few of my friends, my team-mates with both England and Bath that would question that," he said. "Percentage wise there might be one or two but it doesn't affect me too much. I think I handled myself extremely well."

© PA Sport

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