Burgess left out of Uruguay clash

Burgess left out of Uruguay clash

  • Lancaster has made nine changes after the 33-13 defeat by Australia
  • Sam Burgess has been left out of England’s 23
  • Owen Farrell switches to inside centre
  • Mako Vunipola, James Haskell and Nick Easter come into the pack

Former Rugby League star Sam Burgess has been left out of the England squad to face Uruguay at the Rugby World Cup.

The centre has been surrounded by controversy this week with rumours he is set to move back to Rugby League growing while teammate Billy Vunipola allegedly questioned his inclusion in the side.

The Saracens back-rower was forced to deny any allegations made and used his social media account to claim that his quotes were taken out of context.

It has also been rumoured that Stuart Lancaster favoured Centre Luther Burrell for the squad but was talked out of his decision by other members of his coaching team, in particular, backs coach Andy Farrell. The backs coach denied this in an interview yesterday.

Ultimately, the team did not perform up to the standard necessary and they were knocked out of the competition, becoming the first team in World Cup history to be knocked out at the group stages as the host nation.

Lancaster has made nine changes following the 33-13 defeat by Australia for his side’s final match against the South Americans.

Owen Farrell switches to inside-centre, with Alex Goode, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, George Ford and Danny Care all coming into the back line.

Mako Vunipola, James Haskell and Nick Easter come into the pack, with Chris Robshaw continuing to lead the side.

Brad Barritt will miss the game because of an arm injury after starting against the Wallabies while lock Courtney Lawes still has not recovered from an arm injury that he sustained in the loss to Wales.

Jonny May, who was taken of injured at half time to Australia also misses out of the 23 man squad like Burgess, as Mike Brown, Jonathan Joseph, Joe Marler and Tom Wood all move to the bench.

Hooker Jamie George and prop David Wilson have been added to the bench, replacing Rob Webber and Kieran Brookes.


England team: Alex Goode; Anthony Watson, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell; George Ford, Danny Care; Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling, James Haskell, Chris Robshaw (capt), Nick Easter.
Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, David Wilson, George Kruis, Tom Wood, Richard Wigglesworth, Jonathan Joseph, Mike Brown.