Aviva Premiership
Sam Burgess' future is at No.6: Francois Louw
ESPN Staff
April 27, 2015
Sam Burgess has impressed in his move to the blindside flank © Getty Images
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Bath openside flanker Francois Louw has given resounding praise to Sam Burgess in his move to the back-row, the South African believing the NRL convert's future lies on the blindside flank. Starting his rugby career with Bath in the centres, Burgess moved to the back-row for the first time last week against Newcastle, producing a man-of-the-match performance.

Talking to The Rugby Paper following the switch, Springboks flanker Louw said he was impressed by Burgess's shift and his physicality.

"I thought centre was going to be Sam's position but I've got to give it to the guy, he put his hand up, got stuck in as backrower, did a bloody good job and I think the future for him is as a No.6," Louw told The Rugby Paper. "He had a hell of a work-rate and he gave us that extra dimension between the forwards and backs. With his skill-set that's the kind of role he enjoys. He can get a bit more involved, which you want from a forward, and so far so good.

"He's excited about it and it's about continuous improvement now. He needs to tighten up a few things and hopefully he'll adopt to a jumping role over time, but at this moment he's doing a great job and it's about taking small steps.

Seen as a World Cup bolter before taking the pitch, Burgess - by his own admission - struggled in the centres; but Louw believes Burgess can quickly rise through the ranks after moving to the back-row.

"There's been massive expectation around Sam and talk of him being in a World Cup squad and playing for England, but as an individual it's been about just focusing on his game and the player he can be is now starting to show," Louw told The Rugby Paper. "Once he makes the full metal shift, he'll rise to the top fairly quickly."

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