Shaun Edwards believes Sam Burgess has already proved himself in rugby union and said Wales have been working hard on their defence in readiness for their pool stage encounter with England at Twickenham. “Sam has been improving considerably,” said the Wales defence coach who, like Burgess, made his name in rugby league, before switching codes to coach at Wasps.
“It is massive for any player to change sport, but he has also made the transition from a forward to a back, which has made it even harder for him. I think he has acquitted himself very, very well and sometimes you can see the merit of a player in a losing side.
“I watched last season’s Premiership final between Bath and Saracens and I thought Sam was Bath’s best forward. He really put himself about in a team that was under a lot of pressure. We know how much guts and bravery he has, but I thought it was an excellent performance from him and he made a good impact in the centre when he came on against Ireland.”
Wales start their World Cup campaign against Uruguay in Cardiff on Sunday, their one match in the pool in which victory is assured with Los Teros, a side made up largely of amateurs, making their first appearance in the tournament since 2003.
“It is important we do not underestimate them,” said Edwards. “We have to concentrate on our own performance. We have got footage of them but there is unpredictability because they are not players ours play regularly against. The pool is a massive challenge for us: England scored the most tries ever in the Six Nations last season, Australia have just won the Rugby Championship and Fiji are in good form.
“England are a potent attacking force and we will have our hands full. They are a team that can hit you in all ways: they like to play expansive rugby and have some electric backs, but they can also attack you through the forwards with a mauling game. They have quality all over the place and behind they have got Anthony Watson, Johnny May and Jonathan Joseph.
“We are fully aware of the threat that is coming our way against them and as defence is always important in tournaments, the fewer points you concede the better. You have to counteract certain elements of the opposition attack and we have been practising against people who, like Watson and May, have really good feet.”
Wales are without the injured Jonathan Davies in midfield but Edwards believes Scott Williams, who scored the winning try against England at Twickenham in the 2012 Six Nations, will make an impact on the tournament. “He knew he had to work hard on his defence and he has improved. He knew he had to step up and I am pleased with his progress. He is not the finished article just yet, but there has been a 20% improvement over the last month or so in his tackling.”
