It’s what everyone’s talking about today.
Gordon D’Arcy’s column in the Irish Times is the biggest talking point in rugby circles today and it hasn’t gone down well across the water.
The Leinster man focuses on Sam Burgess and his performance for England against Wales on Saturday night and D’Arcy outlines why his selection didn’t work.
D’Arcy analysis is well-rounded as he writes about why experience in the centre position, timing and understanding are all vital at international level.
A few sentences, like the one below, have rubbed people in England up the wrong way.
“Burgess lacks the sense of timing, in attack and defence, required to be effective at international level. His naivety embarrassed those around him and severely damaged England’s chances of reaching the quarter-finals.”
D’Arcy never questioned the Rugby League covert’s application or dedication to the cause but he feels this tournament came too soon for Burgess and it was a mistake to pick him.
The reaction on Twitter has, as always, been pretty extreme.
https://twitter.com/gwladrugby/status/649179004587671552
Gordon D'Arcy's analysis is fascinating. I, like millions, think I know what I'm watching until I read something like that #RWC2015
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) September 30, 2015
Gordon D'Arcy commits a thought crime by explaining why Sam Burgess struggled v Wales http://t.co/u5rR9qHdoT
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) September 30, 2015
Second week in a row with Gordon D'Arcy giving superb analysis
— James (@bispys) September 30, 2015
Gordon D'Arcy is chatting absolute shit, Burgess had a decent game against Wales, cant single him out like that
— Joe⏳ (@joeglacken14) September 30, 2015
Great analysis piece by Gordon D'Arcy, one of the best I've read for a while… http://t.co/Q91MdkpO5n
— Stuart Coles (@StuartJDColes) September 30, 2015
@_PaulHayward @jcorrigangolf Stepper D'Arcy, defensive genius alongside O'Driscoll, bit hard on Burgess. Barritt real villain
— Kevin Mitchell (@kevinmitchell50) September 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/JamzMurr/status/649181136174845952
https://twitter.com/dan_mutton/status/649181065463132160
I've a feeling this D'arcy article could go global. Probably the best read of the tournament so far. Highly intelligent and unsparing.
— Whiff of Cordite (@WhiffofCordite) September 30, 2015
After reading Gordon D'arcy's rant on sky sports is that thank god he ain't playing anymore as @SamBurgess8 would smash him to pieces….
— Ross Page (@RossPage1) September 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/tom_parkes_88/status/649188742201278464
https://twitter.com/L14M_M4C/status/649187884327661568
*sees Gordon D'arcy is trending*
*Click!*
*sees no beard*
*RAGEQUIT*
— BeardWatch (@SportBeardWatch) September 30, 2015