If Burgess is to make an impact then England need to hurry him along

Many people have misgivings but Sam Burgess has the talent to play any code of rugby, but how much of an impact he will have is anyone's guess. Alex Livesey / Getty Images

Sam Burgess is such a colossal talent, and it is difficult to believe he will be anything but a resounding success if he does opt to swap from league to union.

But a force in England’s squad for next year’s World Cup?

It seems far-fetched.

It was reported in the Australian press that a move from Russell Crowe’s South Sydney Rabbitohs to English union is a done deal, with Bath the destination.

It emanates from an idea by Andy Farrell, the England assistant coach, apparently.

That is where the red flags should start to appear when it comes to the idea of Burgess playing at the 2015 union World Cup.

Farrell was a great of the 13-man code. But when he was fast-tracked into the union game with a view to being England’s X-factor at the 2007 World Cup in France, the impact was average.

England somehow reached the final, but Farrell, who had converted two years previously, barely figured.

At 25, Burgess has more time on his side to make a go of the 15-man game than Farrell did.

The 6ft 5ins Yorkshireman is said to be earmarked for a place in England’s midfield. Sonny Bill Williams has shown it can be done, having flip-flopped between the two codes, and represented New Zealand in each with great success.

But there is just over a year remaining until England host the World Cup.

If Burgess is going to be a presence there, they are leaving it tight.

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