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Luther Burrell was axed by Stuart Lancaster for the England World Cup squad
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Northampton centre was left out to pave the way for rugby league convert Sam Burgess
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The 27-year-old will now try to impress the new England head coach, Eddie Jones
Northampton centre Luther Burrell has admitted that he felt betrayed by Stuart Lancaster, saying the former England head coach “broke” him and “let him down” by leaving him out of the World Cup squad.
After being omitted from the final 31 late in August, which paved the way for the inclusion of rugby league convert Sam Burgess, the Northampton centre admitted it had taken a time to recover from the ‘heartbreaking’ episode.
Lancaster has since left the role and been replaced by Australian Eddie Jones but Burrell couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“He let me down, that’s how I feel about him,” said Burrell, who revealed how Lancaster told him.
“It was 8 o’clock in the morning; I was the first one in. He obviously wanted to get the tough one out of the way first. As soon as I walked in the office I knew. I could see it on his face.
“It was just…boom. I’m not saying I deserved to be there, but I didn’t think I had done anything to justify not getting selected.
“That was one of the most heartbreaking things for me because I had trained and played well in the jersey. I felt I had done everything I possibly could to warrant a place in the team.”
Burrell though insisted that he has no issue with Burgess, who has since decided to return to rugby league.
“I have got no grudge against Sam. He didn’t put himself in the team. He had an opportunity of a lifetime and he was able to live that dream,” said Burrell.
“I had to get behind the team, stomach what happened and try to support them.”