Burgess question created divisions in England
THE English rugby union’s review into the failed World Cup campaign has not even begun and the cracks are already beginning to appear as it emerged that some players have had reservations about the selection of Sam Burgess and the extent of Andy Farrell’s influence.
It has been claimed that Burgess’s selection was disruptive because it was felt within the squad that Luther Burrell had earned the right to play at the World Cup, having featured in every one of England’s previous 10 Six Nations games.
Farrell, the backs coach, was seen as the driving force behind Burgess’ rapid rise into the World Cup squad, just 10 months after making his rugby union debut. The squad are said to have respected Burgess’s commitment but they felt he was not ready to be exposed at international level.
It has also emerged that Danny Cipriani and Mike Catt, the attacking skills coach, were engaged in a row during a training session the day after Cipriani had been cut from the training squad.
Lancaster said that the decision between Burgess and Burrell came down to their respective performances in an internal trial match on August 29, the day before he finalised his 31-man tournament squad. He denied that his coaching team were at odds. ‘‘The decisions we make on selection are collective and they’re ultimately mine and my responsibility,’’ Lancaster said yesterday (Sunday). ‘‘There’s no division in the coaching team.’’
Billy Vunipola has strongly denied claims that he made critical comments about the England management or his team-mates, describing rumours as ‘‘compete rubbish’’.
‘‘I would never say anything negative about the boys or staff,’’ he tweeted. ‘‘We gave everything we had, just wasn’t enough and we all take responsibility. Proud to train and play alongside such great lads and we have to look forward now. Thanks for all of your support.’’
Lancaster said the four coaches – himself, Farrell, Graham Rowntree and Catt – come ‘‘as a package’’ but he conceded that the fallout from the World Cup could see them go in different directions.
The RFU is determined to avoid a repeat of the scenario that followed the 2011 World Cup but the bitter recriminations appear to have already begun, including claims of a row between Cipriani and Catt.
Cipriani was obliged to take part in one final training session before leaving the training camp, having already been told he had not made the squad.
He was given a dressing down by Catt during the fitness part of the session and an argument erupted. Cipriani is said to have received the support of the players after Catt was deemed to have got too personal.
The fact all of this dirty washing is being aired in public will be heart-breaking for Lancaster after four years of trying to build a positive culture within the England squad.
Lancaster has already said he is considering his position and he appeared a broken man at the team hotel yesterday but he insisted no decision on his future would be made until after Saturday’s game against Uruguay.
Ian Ritchie, the RFU chief executive, said he would make no rash decisions and wait until a full review of the tournament had been completed. No timescale has yet been set up nor any format for the review.
It’s understood not all players will be keen to provide feedback, even on an anonymous basis, after reports into the 2011 World Cup were leaked, leaving players feeling ‘‘betrayed’’.
Lancaster said he was hopeful that any players who did contribute would be supportive, but he was speaking in the tone of a man who knew he would not be leading the squad into the 2019 World Cup.