Monday 12 October 2015 18:04, UK
The brother of Sam Burgess says England's newest union recruit has no regrets over switching codes, despite the fall-out that followed the host nation's early exit from the Rugby World Cup.
Burgess played rugby league for Bradford and South Sydney before moving into union last autumn when he returned to the UK to join Bath.
He was quickly promoted to the England national squad ahead of the World Cup and started their crunch match against Wales at Twickenham last month.
Burgess played for more than an hour before being replaced - while England were still leading - only for Stuart Lancaster's side to slip to a costly 28-25 defeat.
However, his sibling Tom - who will represent England at rugby league in their autumn internationals - says his brother has been unaffected by the criticism as he prepares to resume his club career with Bath.
Tom, who flew in from Australia recently, met up with his brother in Manchester over the weekend and said: "The tournament has been massive and there's been a lot of pressure around that.
For him to play in a World Cup as a dual international, I don't think he'd regret that
"I think he's handled himself very well, to get in there in the first year of rugby union is pretty outstanding to be honest. I'm proud of him.
"The experiences that he's had this last year have been awesome for him. I don't think he'd change that now. For him to play in a World Cup as a dual international, I don't think he'd regret that."
Regarding the media coverage, Tom added: "At the end of the day, it's their jobs to report about it. Everyone's got their opinions and takes on things.
"I don't get annoyed with it, it's just a talking point. I don't think it's personal. They've got to make a story and it's fair enough. It's what sells papers, isn't it?
"He knows how to handle it now. He's pretty well drilled with the media and he's got pretty thick skin."
As for returning to league, Tom says his brother is likely to remain in union for the immediate future: "It is a bit of a talk of the town at the moment about whether Sam's going to come back to league or not but at the moment it's just speculation.
"It's what everyone wants in league but at the end of the day it's his decision and he'll make the decision based on how he's feeling. He's signed up for two more years at Bath so that's it."
