Rugby World Cup
George Ford tips Sam Burgess to shine
ESPN Staff
July 28, 2015
Sam Burgess inspirational on and off the field

England star George Ford has hailed the influence of Sam Burgess in the dressing room, claiming his Bath team-mate is more than capable of making an impact on the international scene.

Burgess, who switched codes to join Bath from Australia's National Rugby League champions South Sydney Rabbitohs last year, is bidding to make his Rugby World Cup bow with England in September, and Ford revealed the 26-year-old was making his mark both on and off the field.

"He's settled in brilliantly," said Ford. "He's inspirational to have around off the field, as well as on it.

"He had a bit of time off to relax and get over his injury but ever since then he's come into the team, first of all at centre but now in the back-row, and now he's loving it and he's picking things up really quickly.

Burgess was used in both the centres and back-row as Bath finished runners-up in the Premiership last term, but England coach Andy Farrell admitted his international future could lie in the midfield.

While the great and the good of England rugby have debated the merits of using Burgess as a replacement for the powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi, Ford insisted his team-mate would shine on the international stage wherever he is picked to play.

"I think he's definitely got the capability to play international rugby union. His drive and motivation that he's got within him means he's definitely up for that challenge. He'll consistently get better and if given the chance, I'm sure he'll take it."

Speaking at a Land Rover event, Ford revealed that his home life has practically become wall-to-wall rugby after joining Bath in 2013, where his father Mike is head coach.

"More often than not these days, he's more of a coach than my dad and we get very little time as father and son," the England fly-half said. "Every time we see each other day-in-day-out it's talking rugby, it's talking tactics, which is what we used to do anyway so nothing much has changed, but it's brilliant to have him as my coach."

"I think he's a brilliant World Class coach, along with the other coaches there so I just love being in an environment that he's in."

Despite being the coach's son, Ford knows he'll have a fight on his hands to keep his No.10 jersey at the Recreation Ground next season. Bath's summer influx of new players has seen the arrival of Wales international Rhys Priestland - a challenger for Ford's favoured position.

Ford however insisted he is fully focused on the upcoming World Cup, particularly as he'll get to face his new team-mate for a second time this year.

"Coming up against Rhys Priestland will be good fun," said Ford looking ahead to England's Pool A encounter with Wales. "I've already done it once in the Six Nations but he'll be my Bath team-mate the next time that I face him.

"It will be quite weird to face him, especially being in the same position as well, so hopefully we can come out on top and have the bragging rights."

© ESPN Staff

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.