Bath boss Stuart Hooper the latest to respond to Sam Burgess' claims

Saturday, 06 June 2020 at 09:49

bySteven Smith

Stuart Hooper, now Bath's director of rugby and the club captain when Burgess was at The Rec, has responded to claims his teammates weren't committed heading into the 2015 Premiership fianl.

Burgess commented on the House of Rugby podcast that Bath's players 'didn’t turn up against Saracens, which Bath lost 16-28, with Burgess going on to say: “I’d just come off winning a Premiership with South Sydney and I wanted to go back to back... and it just didn’t feel like the same level of commitment at Bath from a couple of players that had one eye on the World Cup."

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Hooper responded to the claims: "I was obviously captain of that Bath side, the proudest day of my rugby life to lead those boys out at Twickenham," said Hooper

"I genuinely never looked round and thought any one of my teammates did not give their all. I never felt that.

"Anyone who has worked with me as a captain or since as a director of rugby would know that is something I would have picked up on and dealt with at the time."

These are the worst EVER signings by every Gallagher Premiership club

Here are THE WORST ever buys by current Gallagher Premiership clubs. Just don't think about how much they cost...

Bath Rugby: Sam Burgess

What a corker to start off with. The rugby league superstar was signed for Bath Rugby on huge money, joining in October 2014.

His inclusion and performances at the Rugby World Cup were widely scrutinized, and seen by some pundits as partly to blame for England's "humiliating" early pool stage exit from the tournament—the worst result for a host nation in the tournament's history.

And following the disastrous campaign, Burgess quit rugby union after just 12 months, opting to return to South Sydney Rabbitohs, signing a three-year contract.

An absolute flop.

Bristol Bears: Tyrese Johnson-Fisher - Bristol Bears

More disappointing than bad.

The speedster, who went viral as a youngster for his four tries at Twickenham in the NatWest Schools Cup, joined Bristol last summer but left the Premiership side with immediate effect in February.

He's since revealed he's taken the decision to pursue other opportunities outside of professional rugby.

Exeter Chiefs: Nemani Nadolo

Signed for the club 11th Jan 2011 but was registered under his Aussie passport and therefore cost the club 2 points and £5000 for fielding too many overseas players.

He was then convicted of drink driving, banned from the road for 18 months, and released by the club in May 2011.

He failed to score a single try in his four appearances for the Chiefs. His career has done nothing but rise ever since so that's nice.

Gloucester: Chris Paterson

This one is still quite baffling.

Gloucester fans thought they'd made a game-changing signing when Scotland's record point-scorer moved to Kingsholm in 2007. Boy were they wrong.

Paterson's spell with the Cherry & whites was largely disappointing and the fullback left to return to Edinburgh at the end of his first season in the Premiership.

He made just 14 appearances.

Harlequins: Paul Sackey

A winger with an eye for a try almost everywhere he went, but one who played like he had no eyes at all at Quins.

The speedster returned to England following stints with Toulon and Stade Francais, moving to Twickenham Stoop ahead of the 2013/14 season.

However, following one less than impressive season at Twickenham Stoop, scoring just two tries, the England international hung up his boots.

Past it.

Leicester Tigers: JP Pietersen

World Cup winner with South Africa in 2007, Pietersen signed a three-year deal to join Premiership giants prior to the 2016–2017 season.

However, the winger was granted early release to join top French club Toulon in the Top 14 following his first season. He scored three tries in 15 appearances during his underwhelming one-year stint at Welford Road.

Worth the huge salary? Absolutely not.

London Irish: Sean O'Brien

A powerhouse back-rower from Ireland, what could go wrong? Sadly, everything.

The Exiles parted with £450,000 per season to land the experienced Ireland and Lions international.

Due to a hip injury, the back-rower made just one appearance in a 39-0 defeat against Sale Sharks, meaning his high-profile move can only be described as a flop.

Sometimes signing even the best players doesn't work out.

Northampton Saints: Dom Barrow

A burned out Barrow joined the Saints as a marquee signing for the 2018/19 season but had an injury-disrupted spell which meant the 25-year-old failed to make any impact.

The former Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons lock left Franklin’s Gardens by “mutual consent” in March 2019 after seven uninspiring outings in the black, green and gold.

He officially retired from rugby last year and is now managing director of green technology company Pure-EV

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Sale Sharks: Richie Gray

This signing had every Sale fan very excited with the Scottish powerhouse penning a three-year contract.

However, the giant Scot would only stay for one season, playing 16 underwhelming matches, scoring one try before joining French club Castres.

Never had such a big man, done so little.

Saracens: Gavin Henson

What can you say about this man that hasn’t already been said? Henson had not played professional Rugby for 18 months before joining Sarries in 2010 but was an exciting addition nevertheless with the 33-cap Wales international making his debut on boxing day.

After failing to break into the team regularly, Henson secured the release from his contract in February 2011 and joined Toulon shortly after.

A deal that offered so much, but delivered nothing.

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Wasps: Steve Thompson

Despite being 33, there was excitement when the World Cup-winning hooker signed a three-year deal with Wasps in May 2011.

However, in December, after making just one appearance, Thompson announced his immediate retirement from the game, following a recurrence of a serious neck injury sustained in training in late-October. This required surgery to relieve symptoms of numbness and dizziness, but to carry on playing would carry serious risk to his health.

DID YOU KNOW? The England hooker was nominated for World Player of the Year in 2003, losing out to teammate Jonny Wilkinson

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Worcester Warriors: Ben Te'o

Who Else? The centre will go down as the worst value for money transfer in rugby history we'd imagine.

Arriving in 2016, despite solid form for England during this stint, the Warriors fans barely saw him in his three years at Sixways, which is not what you want from your highest paid player.

Waste of money.