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Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 18, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
England
35-11
Fiji
try (13'), Brown (22', 72'), Vunipola (80')
FT
Nadolo (30')

Will Greenwood: 'Sam Burgess shouldn't be in England squad'

Will Greenwood says that he would not have selected Sam Burgess in England's matchday squad for their Rugby World Cup opening match against Fiji on Friday.

Former centre Will Greenwood has said that Sam Burgess should not have been selected in the 23-man squad for England's opening Rugby World Cup match against Fiji.

Burgess will start the match on the bench but Greenwood feels that he does not offer enough versatility.

"I did not think that Sam Burgess and Owen Farrell would be on the same bench," Greenwood told Sky Sports News.

"As a straight replacement for 12, wow, what an opportunity for Sam. But a bench is about a make-up, about covering potential bases. Of course you cannot cover all the bases but Owen Farrell by in large covers 10 and 12. Sam Burgess covers the midfield - and in reality just 12.

"For me Alex Goode covers more, Henry Slade covers more, Jack Nowell covers more. The Sam Burgess impact is huge but would he have been my No.23? No."

Burgess has made two appearances for England since switching from rugby league last year.

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