PERHAPS the saddest part of this whole saga is that Sam Burgess would have been a dominant force at the World Cup if politics had not been involved.

That’s the opinion of a former English rugby champion, who believes Burgess and English rugby need to stop kidding themselves and face facts: the former South Sydney Rabbitohs star simply isn’t good enough to make the Three Lions’ World Cup squad.

Former England scrum half Matt Dawson says Burgess has been “found out” during his matches at centre.

He reckons stubbornness and a desire not to embarrass itself or Burgess is the only reason English rugby hasn’t already conceded its gamble on the former NRL star isn’t going to work in time for the World Cup, beginning September 18.

The 26-year-old has been used predominantly as a backrow forward during his season with Bath, but England coach Stuart Lancaster said he has backflipped on his vision for Burgess and believes playing in the centres is his best position.

Unfortunately, Burgess has barely spent any time playing in the centres.

“He’s been found out playing for Bath in that midfield,” Dawson told the BBC.

“Stuart Lancaster has said [Burgess has] power, skill, agility, defence. No question there.

“Lancaster didn’t talk about reading the game, game-management, analysis, positioning. Burgess hasn’t got it.

media_camera Sam Burgess’ rugby experiment might not end in smiles.

“When he’s been in the forwards he’s been a real threat.”

Dawson said the tug of war between English rugby and Bath cost Burgess his best chance of playing at the World Cup, because he was unable to concentrate on playing one position.

Now, he does not have the technical skills in scrums and lineouts to play in the forwards and doesn’t have the positional experience and game knowledge to play in the centres.

“I feel for Sam,” Dawson said.

“If he had the coaching from both England and Bath and nailed down a position he would be a lot further down the line.

“You can’t take him to the World Cup just because he’s good for morale.”

Burgess is believed to be behind Brad Barritt and Jonathan Joseph in the pecking order, meaning he is among a group of players looking to sneak into the final spots on the World Cup roster.

“Burgess is clearly a special human being but for him to go, there are some serious players not going,” former England prop David Flatman said.

“He does have the mindset and the genetics to have a massive impact on rugby union at the highest level. I do not believe that is at centre.”

Burgess was selected in England’s 45-man preliminary World Cup squad, but that must be cut to a final 31-man squad before August 31.

Originally published as Sam Burgess just ‘hasn’t got it’