1
The forgotten 17-stone England centre weighing up a Super League switch
By Online Editors
Luther Burrell could be line for a shock cross-code switch to rugby league when his contract runs out at Northampton Saints this summer.
The former England centre is apparently set for more talks with Warrington Wolves, according to the latest edition of the weekly UK Rugby Paper.
The Super League outfit see him as a 2020 season replacement for Ryan Atkins, the 33-year-old who is in his testimonial year at the club.
League isn’t an alien rugby code for Burrell. He played for Huddersfield Giants growing up before embarking on a successful union career that saw him play for Leeds and Sale before his 2012 switch to Northampton catapulted him into the England frame.
However, it would be ironic if went on to become a Super League success in the coming years given that it was a cross-code signing in the other direction that massively damaged his stint with England.
Burrell had started the entire 10 matches of England’s 2014 and 2015 Six Nations campaigns only to find himself controversially axed from the World Cup squad to accommodate Sam Burgess, who has come into the union fold after winning the NRL title with South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The inclusion of Burgess in the midfield dramatically backfired on Stuart Lancaster, who lost his job as England boss after they failed to progress from their pool at the tournament.
Burrell briefly bounced back to win two more Test caps under Eddie Jones, Lancaster’s replacement, but he hasn’t had a look-in since a 2016 appearance away to Australia in Brisbane.
The 31-year-old Northampton centre has claimed he never held a grudge against Burgess, who fled the England scene following the World Cup and returned to the Rabbitohs. Instead, Burrell took issue with his Lancaster, the current Leinster assistant, left him down.
“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 in a BBC interview shortly after Burgess decided to quit union and go back to league. “For me it was about wishing him the best of luck, my issue wasn't with him whatsoever.
“He [Lancaster] let me down. That is how I feel about him. I have known Stuart a long time. I have a huge amount of respect for the bloke, what he's done and what he has achieved. I didn’t think I had done anything to justify not getting selected.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Ex-Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions star Laidlaw dies
3
Exeter Chiefs confirm latest Heaven sent arrival
4
Ex-Leicester Tigers CEO points out obvious choice for next head coach
5
Latest Comments
MY HERPES STORY AND HOW I WAS CUREDFor years, I struggled with the emotional and physical burden of the herpes virus, believing I would have to live with it forever. I tried countless treatments, medications, and therapies, but nothing seemed to bring lasting relief. It felt like a battle with no end in sight until I discovered a natural remedy that changed everything (herbs). Skeptical at first, I decided to give it a try, and to my surprise, I started noticing improvements in my overall well-being within two days of taking the medication. With consistency as prescribed by the herbal doctor, I felt healthier, more energized, and free from the symptoms that had once controlled my life. After completing the treatment, (14days) I visited my doctor for confirmation, and I was overjoyed with the results. I tested negative. I was cured from my HSV1&2This experience has given me back my confidence, peace of mind, and a renewed sense of hope. If you or someone you know is struggling with herpes or other health concerns like HPV, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, PCOS, or hepatitis, know that there are alternative options available and you will be cured. For those seeking a natural approach to wellness, I encourage you to explore this path with an open mind. You never know how life-changing it might be. Just if you want to reach out, you can contact: Email: dr.awaseherbalhome@ gmail. com WhatsApp: +2349074997110
Go to commentsHi all. Thanks for commenting. JD is right: the headline is not mine. My headline was what ended up as the first sentence: “Why is Super Rugby Pacific so exciting this season?”. I am certainly not claiming that teams from one competition are better than the teams from another. This type of discussion is entirely subjective (as the teams do not play each other, and even with the players face each other in their national teams, it is in different systems, conditions, etc.). The season being exciting has nothing to do how well the Wallabies will do against the Lions, or against New Zealand.
My sole purpose here was to try explore quantitatively a ‘qualitative’ impression (that the season is exciting).
On Graham’s point about extreme results skewing the results, and Ed’s comment on removing outliers, this is precisely why I report the median values as well as the averages. The median is not skewed by outliers. If the margins of 5 games are 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 points, the median margin is 5. If there was one blowout and the margins were 3, 4, 5, 8 and 57 points, the median margin is still 5.
Go to comments