Four Nations: Lessons learned in rugby union are bolstering Sam Burgess

England's Sam Burgess during a training session at South Leeds Stadium. (Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

SAM BURGESS admits he has experienced a 'whirlwind' few years in sport but will rarely have been prouder than when he captains England's rugby league side for the first time tomorrow.

The iconic forward leads his country against New Zealand in the Ladbrokes Four Nations opener at Huddersfield, nine years after the then prodigious Bradford Bulls teenager’s explosive Great Britain debut versus the Kiwis at the same venue.

Plenty has happened since with the Dewsbury-born player proving himself as a world great Down Under, where his heroic exploits saw South Sydney win the 2014 NRL Grand Final.

That, of course, pre-empted his controversial move to rugby union where, within nine months after debuting as a centre for Bath, he defied the odds, and a fair few critics, to do the same for England.

Remarkably, Burgess was selected for the World Cup but, after his country’s embarrassing pool-stage exit, and despite ample evidence to the contrary, he was widely lambasted for playing a critical role in their downfall.

Some of the criticism was vitriolic. However, the Yorkshireman has since insisted that was not the reason he made a swift return to Souths almost 12 months ago, more the fact he simply did not have enough ‘passion’ for union.

Now, with Sean O’Loughlin injured, he has been made captain of his country in the 13-man code, his largely recognisable face and gregarious character a PR dream as the sport looks to expand.

The 27-year-old maintains there is no trepidation after the pitfalls of what occurred the last time he was back playing on home soil in that ill-conceived World Cup programme last autumn.

“The reality of the situation is it’s not actually that bad,” said Burgess.

“The way it played out in the media, it sensationalised it a little bit. There’s no trepidation now, not at all. I am excited to come back and represent my country again, especially in rugby league, the game I grew up playing.

“I’ve learned a few things and being captain is not really going to change me or what I bring to the team. What is really important is performing for my team-mates and coach.

“I have learned a lot over the last 10 years, not just the last two or three. A lot has happened in the last 18 months that we all know about but positive things; mentally I had to get myself to a place to be successful.

“In union I was thinking 24/7 and learned what I needed to be successful.”

On the captaincy, Burgess added: “At Dewsbury Moor there is an honours board as you go in with players who have gone on to represent Super League clubs.