Joe Ford has rushed to the defence of brother George following Sam Burgess outspoken rant on the House of Rugby podcast.
The rugby league convert said that the presence of Mike Ford's son George in the squad became problematic during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
"With George, Mike kind of infiltrated the camp - that is my take on it," added Burgess.
"After me starting against Wales, my relationship with George completely changed, he wouldn't talk to me, he was a bit sulky.
"Knowing what I know now, I see the politics. George came on with 10 minutes to go to keep Mike and George happy. We didn't need him on, we had the team to finish the game."
Joe, who will join for Doncaster Knights backroom staff ahead of the 2020/21 Championship season, took to Twitter to respond to the outburst.
"For what it’s worth & I know he’s my brother but George is the most selfless individual I have ever known," wrote Joey.
"It’s crazy to suggest otherwise. 69 caps is an awful lot to get if your not all about the team. I know countless teammates will agree."
Burgess also called his then-Bath coach Mike Ford "a snake" and accused him of using Burgess as a "pawn" to play politics.
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"Mike Ford wanted the England coaching job," Burgess told the House of Rugby podcast.
"I had to tell him I couldn't play for him anymore. I'd lost respect for him.
"I just felt that people behind the scenes were playing a deeper game,"
LINE-UP | A rugby union XIII that would dominate rugby league
With Sky Sports re-running the 'Clash of the Codes' matches between Wigan and Bath, RUCK feature writer Oliver Roby has trawled the globe to bring together an all-star team of Union players who'd dominate in rugby league.
1. Full Back - Romain Ntamack
A Rugby League full back needs to be adept in both attack and defence, so we've opted for France fly half Romain Ntamack.
His ability to play in the centres in union should see him stand up when required in defence, while his deft handling skills will come to the fore going forward, acting as the extra playmaker like so many of the great rugby league full backs in recent years.
2. Wing - Joe Cokanasiga
Much like their union counterparts, speed and finishing chances are very much part of the game as a winger. Perhaps the only quirk is that league wingers tend to take more carries out of their own half in league.
That's why Bath powerhouse Joe Cokanasiga would be ideally suited to playing on the wing in rugby league.
3. Centre - Manu Tuilagi
Athletic, strong and extremely capable, Tuilagi would be able to make the union-league switch fairly comfortably as a centre. His physicality in defence would be useful, while his go-forward could well be in the mould of Keith Senior, a modern day great in league. A potentially fearsome partnership with Cokanasiga in either code.
4. Centre - Kurtley Beale
Beale is no stranger to rugby league having grown up playing the sport as a youngster. The union full back would offer a different style to that of Tuilagi, but his agility, soft hands and fine running game would suit rugby league well anywhere in the backs.
5. Wing - Denny Solomona
Something of an unimaginative pick given his recent association with league, but the Sale winger had an incredible strike rate in his days as a professional league player.
Though he was brought up on rugby union, the New Zealand-born England international lit up Super League during his time with Castleford Tigers. His last year in the code before what many viewed as a controversial switch saw him break the all-time Super League record for tries in a season as he scored 40.
Tigers fans would surely welcome him back in an instant given the opportunity.
6. Stand Off - Dan Biggar
The six and seven - stand off and scrum half - perform similar roles in the modern day to that of a rugby union fly half, so we've opted for two of the best in these roles.
Biggar has all the attributes to lead the side in one of the most pivotal roles, communication, decision making and could have made the side at loose forward were it not for our candidate at 13.
7. Scrum Half - Richie Mo'unga
An All Blacks star who would be sure to inject some magic and spark to the halves. Known for his running game and astute kicking, we feel his skills would compliment Biggar well.
8. Prop - Alun Wyn Jones
Props in league tend to play longer minutes, make more carries and the role is not all about size in the scrum like union, so we feel Alun Wyn Jones would suit the prop role well in the other code.
Rangy at 6 foot 5 and weighing in at over 18 stone, he could play in the mould of former Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock; a leader, capable of playing significant minutes, and a rangy offloading threat.
9. Hooker - Conor Murray
Hookers in league essentially play the role of a union scrum half, so quick passing from the base of the ruck - as well as strong decision making - are key.
Hookers in league also usually top the tackle counts - 80 minute hookers regularly make over 40 a game - another element to consider which means serious stamina.
So we've opted for Ireland star Conor Murray - his mix of physicality and quick hands proving useful here.
10. Prop - Kyle Sinckler
A different type of offering in the front row, Sinckler would likely be changed in and out for a bench prop for maximum impact. His size would more than likely make him unsuited to big minutes in rugby league, but in the mould of many hulking league props, he could cause some serious damage with a 20 minute stint in either half.
11. Second Row - Siya Kolisi
Another crucial leader in this pack, a world cup winning captain with South Africa last year.
Kolisi is another hulking presence in the forwards capable of playing big minutes, his size will also be useful when attacking the edge defence. And his defensive qualities are without question.
12. Second Row - George North
A left field pick as North, commonly a winger in rugby union, gets a slot amongst the forwards.
We feel he would be ideally suited to a spot in the second row due to his sheer size and strength - who can forget the time he collected and ran with Israel Folau on his back six years ago.
The more attack-minded teams in league tend to spread the ball wide; quick, strong and agile back rowers can be serious assets in attack while few would argue with North's strength in defence.
13. Loose Forward - Owen Farrell
Arguably the easiest pick of the bunch.
The definition of a modern day loose forward in rugby league has blurred somewhat in recent years, but the best are those who attack like a halfback and defend like a forward. League icons which come to mind are the likes of Paul Sculthorpe, Sean O'Loughlin and Owen's dad, Andy.
There is arguably no better example (whatever your thoughts on his close-to-the-bone tackling technique!) - of someone as competent with ball in hand and without.
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