Australia cross-code convert Israel Folau hailed Sam Burgess as a "great athlete" who could yet impress in the 15-a-side game.

Burgess was arguably the most controversial of all of England's selections in their 31-man World Cup squad.

England coach Stuart Lancaster brought Burgess in less than a year since he came across from league where the powerhouse star bowed out of the 13-man game with a man-of-the-match display as the South Sydney Rabbitohs won Australia's NRL Grand Final.    

But Burgess, save for a couple of 'big hit' tackles, has been a largely anonymous figure for England.

His inclusion in the World Cup squad has been held against Lancaster all the more strongly by the coach's critics after England became the first host nation to fail to reach the knockout stage following last week's 33-13 defeat by Australia at Twickenham.

There have since been reports that Bath centre Burgess is poised to return to league, although his club coach Mike Ford, another former rugby league man who went on to become defence coach for the England team notably at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, is adamant he will stick it out and try and win a place in the 2019 World Cup.

But Folau, who played for the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, winning eight Australia league caps, as well as appearing briefly in Australian Rules, said Burgess could make a success of a career in union.    

"It (coming over to union) was pretty challenging in my first year of playing Super Rugby, but I feel like I managed to pick up the game," Folau told reporters at Twickenham on Friday ahead of the Wallabies' World Cup Pool A clash against Wales.

"In terms of Sam, I think he's a brilliant player and his progress, from my point of view, has been going good," added Folau, who has scored 18 tries in just 35 Tests for the Wallabies.

"I don't listen to any other comments from the outside. I just think Sam is a great athlete who can do really well in the union game, I hope he does. I wish him all the best going forward and going into the future."

Source: AFP