I've just had a quick look on a Bath RU forum and they seem very quick to blame Lancaster for all this.

Good luck Sam, when you have done a couple of years, or less , back in Aus come and sample the sunny climate in Wigan !

We never replaced Sam Tomkins in the England squad, did we........?....

That doesn't surprise me, but I can't help thinking that Bath wouldn't have got anywhere near Burgess if there hadn't been some kind of promise of an England shirt built into the deal.

I may be wrong on that, of course, but several years ago Stevo said something along the lines of RL failing to compete because so many of these lads were basically being promised international selection if they swapped over.

I find it impossible to imagine Bath having anything to offer Big Sam in comparison to what he had in Aus (where there is also massive money), if there hadn't also been the lure of a much, much bigger stage.

According to some guy on Sky Sports News, England RU brokered the deal with Bath and were set to contribute to their costs. The other Premiership teams complained so the Bath owner went it alone. At this stage, England lost any influence regarding what position Sam played in and the rest is history.

Exactly this. He went to RU to play for England, not Bath. Joining a club side was just a means to an end and the only reason England weren't financing the move was to not upset other clubs. It was Lancaster who first approached Burgess about joining, not Bath or Ford.

The RFU should hang their heads in shame. Bath said he was a forward, England a centre. Not just a centre but an inside centre, a supposed second fly-half. Not that it matters but he was a No.8 (loose forward) all day long. Glad he's back.