Burrell paving the way for Union stars

“I had Danny Care text me in the morning, asking if we needed half-backs up here so he can come and pull some strings!"

Luther Burrell joined up with his new team mates at Warrington Wolves this week after switching codes and signing for the Wire from Northampton Saints. 

The former England international was unveiled to the press on Tuesday, and the explosive 6ft3 centre believes he can be a trailblazer for other union stars to switch codes. 

Burell said: “Danny Cipriani asked if he would be good, and I said he would. He’s re-signed for Gloucester now, but he said he’d love to try his hand at it. 

“I had Danny Care text me in the morning, asking if we needed half-backs up here so he can come and pull some strings! 

“Hopefully, I can open that door and create that bridge for possible players to come over in the future. 

“As a centre, a lot of our back plays are based on league structures. If you were to watch a game of union now you would see that a lot of that.

“Especially Saracens, they’ve got Owen Farrell who played league in his youth.??

After only finishing the union season last month, Burrell has been put through his paces in training and admitted that ‘you have to be much fitter in league’. 

“Definitely, it’s different sort of fitness – it’s short bursts, very explosive and a lot of wrestling. 

“There’s a lot more stoppages in union and the shot clock has made the rest and recovery time non-existent in league. 

“I’ve always followed the game throughout my rugby union career, it’s constantly speeding up – the players are better athletes, more explosive and more skilful,?? the 31-year-old admitted.  

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Burrell grew up in Huddersfield and already has friends in the game although they will be his opponents when they come head to head, and Burrell expects that he could have a ‘target’ on his head. 

“I grew up in Huddersfield and went to All Saints School so I grew up with Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe and then my time at Leeds, Kallum Watkins.

“They couldn’t believe it and all were like ‘no way’ when it was first announced They have been really supportive. 

“At the moment everyone is supporting me but I’m sure once I get on the field I will have a target on my head, which I’m looking forward to.

“I’ve been targeted in union – I know what my strengths are, if I’m a target then I’m. a target – it can work in my favour,?? admitted Burrell.

Burrell has plenty of experience in Union representing Northampton, Leeds Carnegie and Sale Sharks.  He represented England in their tour of Argentina in 2013, and New Zealand in 2014. He also played a part in the 2014 and 2015 Six Nations, scoring on his debut, and the summer tour of Australia in 2016. 

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