England should build their team around super Sam Burgess

Bold decisions are needed, whether Steve McNamara stays as coach or not.

First of all I would make Sam Burgess captain and build a team round him.

And Gareth Widdop has to be given the stand-off spot and back him in that role through thick and thin. Widdop is also the ideal man for vice-captain.

England have to wave goodbye to Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow, Ben Westwood, Sean O’Loughlin and James Roby for next year’s Four Nations. That might seem hasty but it is time to rebuild.

Sam Burgess was the stand-out player for England in the tournament and commands huge respect from his fellow pros. His mind-blowing 80-minute performance against New Zealand at Wembley compares with any from an England forward in the modern era.

He ticks all the boxes when it comes to choosing Sinfield’s successor for the next four years.

When McNamara belatedly moved Widdop to stand-off against the Kiwis, England looked far more effective in attack. Sticking with Rangi Chase for so long was a mistake.

We still have a problem with creativity in the halves and finding a partner for Widdop is going to be tricky.

Warrington’s Richie Myler and Stefan Ratchford are candidates after we missed the boat with Danny Brough.

The forwards are not a problem with the Burgess brothers, James Graham, Chris Hill and Liam Farrell to call on along with Michael McIlorum.

The lack of depth at centre remains a weakness. Kallum Watkins had a good World Cup but I am still not convinced about Leroy Cudjoe.

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England should build their team around super Sam Burgess