Any questions Sam Burgess had about the scale of the task confronting him in his bid to make it into England’s 2015 World Cup squad were put to rest this week.
In October, the rugby league international will swap codes to join the English union side Bath on a three-year contract from the Australian outfit South Sydney Rabbitohs.
In union’s early days as a professional sport, England officials seemed almost desperate for league converts and even financed their moves in some cases. Times have changed, placing Burgess’s ambitious aim in perspective.
“Sam is going to have to earn the right like anyone else – I’ve never said he’s going to be fast-tracked into the World Cup squad,” said Stuart Lancaster, the England rugby union coach.
Jason Robinson, England’s 2003 World Cup winner, has so far been the exception that proves the rule when it comes to league-to-union moves by English players.
But Burgess should be wary of the career paths of fellow code breakers Andy Farrell and Henry Paul, who struggled to come to terms with union’s greater complexity. Farrell played at the 2007 World Cup but earned only eight caps after a glittering league career at Wigan.
But the worst-case scenario for Burgess is the fate of Paul – also a Wigan hero – who played so badly in the last of his six Test caps that he was replaced after just 24 minutes against Australia in 2004.
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Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
