Sam Burgess: I'm not arrogant, I just strongly believe I'll deliver for England at the World Cup... I was thrilled and proud when Stuart Lancaster said I'd made it

• Sam Burgess made England's squad 10 months into his rugby career
• Burgess tells Sportsmail of his sleepless night before being selected 
• Former rugby league star said he dreamed that he hadn't been picked
• He said he was at peace before meeting with Stuart Lancaster, comfortable in the knowledge that he'd given his all 
• Now in the 31-man squad, he doesn't want to just make up the numbers
• Burgess paid tribute to those who have helped him progress so quickly 

By Sam Burgess for MailOnline

Published: 16:54 EST, 28 August 2015 | Updated: 03:26 EST, 29 August 2015

When I met Stuart Lancaster at 9am on Thursday, to find out if I was in the World Cup squad, I told him that I hadn’t slept much. I’d even had a dream about not being picked.

It had been a restless night. I was tossing and turning a lot. I knew the decision had been made, so I knew that, either way, in the morning I was going to find out my destiny.

I was sharing a room with Ben Morgan and we were in the same boat. We both woke up at about six in the morning and the first thing I said to him was: ‘Mate, I slept pretty poorly.’ He said: ‘Me too.’

I said: ‘I dreamt about selection’ and he said: ‘Me too!’

Sam Burgess says he felt like a kid again after being told he'd made England's final World Cup squad

The former rugby league star's remarkable rise has culminated in just 10 months since he switched codes

We had both dreamt about not getting in, but both of our dreams went off in different directions. It was quite funny. I got up quite early because I couldn’t sleep, so I wrote an email to my fiancee Phoebe’s dad, Mitch, in Australia. I’d got a lovely email from him, so I got back to him and a few other people, then I went down for a bit of physio, then it was time for the big meeting.

Thankfully, it didn’t go how I’d dreamed it! Stuart told me I was in and in a way it was a bit of a relief, but I was also absolutely thrilled and proud. I felt excited like a little kid again! We had a good handshake and I tried to keep it cool, but your emotions show quite obviously at a time like that. It was a nice moment to share with Stuart. 

Final squad selection was a tough situation for him but it is one of those jobs that has to be done and I thought he dealt with it really well. He’s a very straight-up guy, he was very open and honest the whole way through the process and I had a lot of respect for him for that. Now I want to repay him by doing a good job.

Before finding out about selection, I felt at peace because I believed that I’d done my best. I was very comfortable within my skin - I knew that every opportunity I’d had, I had put my hand up. I feel like I’ve grown immensely in union and I’m ready to play. I was comfortable with what I had done; I felt like I’d given it my best shot.

Burgess poses on Instagram with fiance Phoebe, the first person he told of his selection for England

The powerful centre says he dreamed that he didn't make the cut but was ecstatic when it didn't come true

Stuart Lancaster made a tough and some say risky call in selecting Burgess but is standing by his decision

Phoebe was the first person I told, but everyone’s reaction has been amazing — all my family and friends are very happy and proud of me. The support I have had has been absolutely overwhelming.

On the same day, my mum got a job as head of the language department at Scots College, a top school out in Australia - so it was a great day for the family.

Since getting home for the weekend, I’ve had time to reflect on what I’ve done since coming into union and I’m really pleased with how it has gone. I’ve got a lot of people to thank for that. The list is massive. 

At Bath, Mike Ford, Toby Booth, Neal Hatley and Darren Edwards have been amazing for my development. All my team-mates have been great too; guys like Kyle Eastmond, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Francois Louw. They are amazing players and have been willing to help me out. 

In the England environment, I have related a lot to Andy Farrell, I’ve also had Stuart and the other coaches backing me and the players have been wonderful too.

Burgess pays tribute to his team-mates, including George Ford (left), who he joins in the England side

Burgess thanks Bath director of rugby Mike Ford (left), along with his staff of Toby Booth, Neal Hatley and Darren Edwards, for helping him to develop so quickly in rugby since his move from the NRL

Burgess proudly says on the day he was named for England, his mother (centre with his three brothers as they celebrate winning last year's NRL Premiership for South Sydney) got a job at a prestigious Sydney school

But I don’t get special treatment - no-one does — I go and get what I need, which is how it was in rugby league.

I am proud of what I’ve achieved so far, but the job is not finished yet. I’m not arrogant but I’ve got strong belief in myself and I know what I can offer. 

I believe I am ready to add something and help this England team. I’ve made the 31 but I want to go on from that now. I don’t want to just make up the numbers at the World Cup. Whether you are selected or not, you have to be a professional, to make sure the team perform as well as possible and credit should go to all the lads who have been in camp. But I feel comfortable and I believe that if I get a chance to play, I can do the job.

I enjoy every second of training and I’ve got a smile on my face the whole time. But I’m not in the squad on my personality.

The coaches certainly believe in me and so do I. I’m ready to play and make a difference on the field.

Sam Burgess is a Canterbury ambassador for rugby and training products. Sam is the face of the new ‘Since 1904’ fashion range. For more information visit canterbury.com

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