Exclusive – England’s decision to substitute Sam Burgess against Wales was ‘the turning point of the game’, claims Welsh legend

Stuart Lancaster’s decision to remove England centre Sam Burgess during his side’s 28-25 Pool A defeat to Wales on Saturday was the turning point in the game, according to former Welsh flanker Martyn Williams.

The World Cup hosts twice held a ten-point advantage over their Six Nations rivals, but a stirring comeback spearheaded by the kicking of Dan Biggar saw Wales triumph.

Burgess, the latest player to switch codes to Union, made his first start at number 12 and impressed, so much so that Williams felt his substitution with a quarter of the game remaining cost England victory.

“We were delighted as Welshmen [when Burgess was substituted],” Williams told Drivetime.

“You had [Owen] Farrell completely running the game and a great combination at 10 and 12.

“So when he [Lancaster] made that substitution - I saw Burgess come off who I thought, on his first start as a 12, did a really good job - it was the turning point of the game and probably at that stage is when they lost it.

“It was a bit of naivety I think in the last 10 minutes.”

England’s move to pursue a match-winning try rather than take a penalty, which would have tied the scores at 28-28, has received widespread scepticism and Williams claims, in that situation, he would have played safe and kicked for goal.

When asked if he was surprised by England’s tactics, he added: “Yes I was surprised. When you consider that Farrell didn’t look like missing kicks, I thought it was take the three points all day long.

“Particularly as England had no joy driving the lineout against Wales all day long.”