Sam Burgess is substituted during England's loss to Wales. Photo / Getty Images
Gordon D'Arcy, an 82-test veteran midfielder for Ireland, has slammed the selection and performance of Sam Burgess in the England World Cup side.
Burgess was chosen to start in England's dramatic loss to Wales last week and D'Arcy has pointed the finger at Burgess for much of the reason why.
D'Arcy wrote in the Irish Times this morning that Burgess "lacks the sense of timing, in attack and defence, required to be effective at international level. His naivety embarrassed those around him and severely damaged England's chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
"Stuart Lancaster picked a league convert who doesn't know how to play inside centre for the biggest match England have played since the 2007 World Cup final. To compound the problem, Brad Barritt was out of position at 13 and exposed accordingly when it mattered most."
His naivety embarrassed those around him and severely damaged England's chances of reaching the quarter-finals
