Sam Burgess was made a scapegoat in rugby union, says Tony Smith
Former Great Britain coach Tony Smith thinks Sam Burgess was “hung out to dry” in rugby union.
The 30-year-old crossed codes to play rugby union in 2014, playing 21 games for Bath.
Burgess was selected in the England squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, earning five caps for his country – but Smith believes he was made a scapegoat because of England’s pour tournament.
Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think he was made a scapegoat by a sport that used him and chewed him up to some degree. Sam was hung out to dry.
“I thought he held a great account of himself in rugby union, to play at the highest level and do such a good job as he did – not many people could achieve that, and I know there wouldn’t be many that could come the other way and do it.
“He’s one of my most talented rugby league players I’ve ever coached – also one of my most impressive guys that I’ve coached as a human being.”
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