Wigan Warriors forward Liam Farrell has paid tribute to George Burgess after his former England team-mate underwent surgery on a potentially career-ending injury.
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs prop Burgess left Wigan earlier this year due to a serious hip problem which wrecked his debut campaign at the club in 2020.
He was at Thursday’s home game against Castleford Tigers ahead of a hip operation in London on Friday and has not ruled out playing again in the future.
Burgess spoke to Adrian Lam’s squad at pitchside after Thursday’s win and second-rower Farrell told Rugby League Live: “George has got to get his hip sorted out and he will be doing that now.
“He spoke to us as a group and was saying thank you to the club, which was a nice touch.
“Since he joined Wigan, it’s not gone to plan like anything how he wanted it to.
“But he’s come in every morning to do all his rehab and try and get himself right.
“Unfortunately it just didn’t work out and this is the route he’s been forced to go down.
“It’s sad to see but the way he’s conducted himself at this club has been unbelievable and all the lads have got nothing but respect for him.”
Farrell, meanwhile, has enjoyed a fine start to the season but is looking forward to playing in his customary second-row position on a regular basis again after being forced to deputise for injured England centre Oliver Gildart in the centres.
He added: “Obviously I’ve played back row for so long and we’ve had a few injuries so in the first few games I’ve had to play centre.
“I’m just adapting to playing there and trying to do my job for the team.
“Hopefully in the next few weeks I’ll be back in the second row but for now I’m enjoying doing a job in the centre.”
Farrell is keen to hit top form this year and book a place in Shaun Wane’s England World Cup squad.
“Of course I have that desire to play for England at the World Cup,” said Farrell.
“It’s something I’ve always loved doing and I’d love to represent my country again.
“The easy thing for me is to make sure my form for Wigan is always good.
“Waney always tells me that when we speak and says ‘don’t give me a reason not to pick you’ so I’m just trying to do that. Hopefully I can get the call at the end of the year.”
