REVEALED | England star stormed out after missing out on World Cup squad
Rugby NewsSunday, 24 May 2020 at 07:26
Luther Burrell has revealed the full story of how he reacted after missing out on England's 2015 Rugby World Cup squad, with Sam Burgess instead getting the call. We all know how that ended.
Despite the infamous fall out, Burrell and Stuart Lancaster remain close, with the 15-cap international catching up with his old coach when Northampton and Leinster met in last season's Champions Cup.
But the now rugby league star, having joined Warrington Wolves in 2019, has now revealed the full details of his World Cup heartbreak.
"For some reason, it all came down to me and Sam," Burrell said to Sky Sports. "It was just a really funny situation I found myself in.
"Ultimately, I think Stuart Lancaster will have suggested to tell me himself because he felt it was the right thing for him to do. I walked into the office and I could tell straight away.
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"He got emotional about it, I just got up and walked out, which was probably not the right thing to do, but my emotions were sky high and I'd just had a home World Cup taken away from me.
"Then all of a sudden, I've got the media following me, I can't go to my house and I can't walk the street, so it was a really difficult period at that point."
Luther Burrell has chosen his rugby union dream team
Take a look at who Luther Burrell has picked in his all-time Dream Team for The Rugby Paper of players he’s played with or against.
This article was originally brought to you by The Rugby Paper in May 2019, the UK's best-selling rugby publication, on-sale every Sunday.
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1 Soane Tonga’uiha
Part of a magnificent Saints front row that gave us a platform. Huge scrummager who ensured our pack never went into reverse.
2 Dylan Hartley
Leadership qualities he brings for Saints and England are second to none and his set-piece stats are right up there. Nails his lineouts and very good in the scrum.
3 Brian Mujati
Played with and against him and he was at Saints when our pack was a force to be reckoned with. Great character who did a mean home brew!
4 Courtney Lawes
‘Mr Northampton’ is so dominant in the contact area and tackling is phenomenal. Laid-back, but an animal on the pitch.
5 Samu Manoa
Partnered with Courtney, this pair would dominate the opposition. Unknown when he came to Saints but was so explosive and had fantastic athletic ability.
6 Alfie To’oala
Had the biggest legs I’ve even seen and had to cut his shorts before every game. One of the most aggressive players I’ve seen, people would just bounce off him.
7 Hendre Fourie
Fantastic at the breakdown. Would be getting seven bells knocked out of him but would still come up with the ball. Such a shame he had to retire early.
8 Louis Picamoles
This is a pretty big pack and he was our saviour in 2016/17. Incredible ability to take on defenders and offload in what was quite an adverse time for us.
9 Kahn Fotuali’i
At one point he was the world’s best 9 for me. The stuff he could do meant it was like playing with another 10 or 12, he was that strong and mobile.
10 Stephen Myler
Played with Farrell, Cipriani and Biggar but I’ll stick with Myler because of his resilience. Nothing flash but ultra-professional and when you need big kicks, he delivers.
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
Fits the bill for my ultra-physical team. Stats are right up there and you just can’t tackle the man. Phenomenal.
12 Owen Farrell
Sam Tuitupou is up there but Faz would dovetail nicely with Myler behind my monster pack. Brilliant ball player who demands the best from others.
13 Manu Tuilagi
Had many individual battles with him and he’s one of those freaks of nature who can win you a game from nothing by breaking tackles and linking with wings.
14 Seru Rabeni
Leeds played Newcastle needing a win to stay up. He was ill before the game but got man-of-the-match. Line-breaks, huge defensive hits, he had the lot.
15 Ben Foden
One of the most unprofessional players – poor diet, never wa
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