Sam Burgess to captain England in Rugby League World Cup final after Sean O'Loughlin injury

Skipper: Sam Burgess
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Jonathan Hunn1 December 2017

Sam Burgess, the man whose inclusion in Stuart Lancaster’s 2015 World Cup squad drew mass criticism from the rugby union fraternity, will lead England in tomorrow’s rugby league World Cup Final against Australia.

Regular skipper Sean O’Loughlin has been ruled out with a quad tear, so Burgess, whose year in union ended soon after England’s humiliating pool-stage exit on home soil, will step in.

Burgess, who captains South Sydney and skippered England in O’Loughlin’s absence in last year’s Four Nations Series, admits he had mixed feelings over his appointment and says he will ask the Wigan loose-forward to lift the trophy if England end their 45-year wait for the World Cup.

“It’s unfortunate for Sean, who has been a huge part of our success in this campaign,” said Burgess. “He’s a fantastic player to have in the team, so it’s obviously a huge loss.

“It’s fantastic for me. It’s a job I don’t take lightly. I love being in this position. I don’t think it gets much better than the World Cup Final and it will be a special moment, although it’s kind of bitter-sweet if I’m honest.

“Sean has been captain the whole tournament and he’ll lift the trophy if we get to that situation.”

England assistant coach Denis Betts said: “[O’Loughlin] obviously wants to be involved, but we have to move on. Sam led the side last year in the Four Nations. He’s a doer, he’s a leader, he’s captain of his club. It’s always been that natural progression that, if something happened to Lockers, that Sam would take that role on.

“Lockers has made a real brave call. He’s not right and he’s decided to not be in the team.”

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