Sam Burgess out of Great Britain tour with shoulder injury
Sam Burgess Was ruled to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
The 30-year-old suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury in his clubs NRL semi-final conquer to Canberra Raiders last month and can be set to undergo surgery.
As they prepare to embark on the initial Lions tour for 23 years, the loss of Burgess, who left his Great Britain debut in 2007 within an 18-year-old against the Kiwis, is a significant setback for Wayne Bennetts team.
Rugby Football League softball manager Kevin Sinfield said on Tuesday:We made it confirmed this morning that Sam Burgess will be from the tour regrettably.
Its very disappointing. Hes had a continuing issue with his shoulder that will require surgery. As are we, he is absolutely gutted.
Weve seen how special its to all our players, Sam having been one of the chosen few previously whove worn the shirt and also didnt outstandingly well inside.
Hes a pioneer and a genuine big character in that dressing room and on the field hes world class so we will surely miss him.
Itll provide somebody else having an chance and hopefully they could grab it.
The RFL announced a 16-man England squad to the World Cup Nines, with 11 of them remaining on for the Lions tour.
That squad will be boosted by other NRL-based players and representatives from Saturdays Grand Final between Salford and St Helens before its announced on Monday.
Among the forwards on stand-by is Castleford prop Liam Watts, however, Sinfield said:There is still a good deal to be decided.
You would expect a large determined to participate in the Grand Final in the weekend and we are going to piece everything together on Sunday morning.
Weve a great idea of where we are at and Wayne is completely across all. Weve had six selectors hard at work pulling squads together, its probably the most rigorous selection procedure we have ever had.
Sinfield verified that former Leeds center Kallum Watkins, now with Gold Coast Titans, wasnt selected because of a rib injury and a final decision has yet to be created on the fitness of Wigan loose forward Sean OLoughlin, who is expected to be termed Lions captain.
Meanwhile, the Sinfield states following demonstrating his eligibility Man of Steel Jackson Hastings is.
The Salford half-back was born in Australia but, like Warrington stand-off Blake Austin, has an English grandparent and he lodged papers to prove his eligibility a week past.
Wed have liked to have it confirmed a little bit sooner, especially once you think how quick Blake had been, Sinfield explained.
But we understand where Jackson was and now hes in contention like everyone else.
it is a pity hes missed some of the sessions we ran throughout the year but, from my experience of spending a little bit of time with him, hes a quite a sociable lad who will fit into many dressing rooms
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