Five controversies that sent Stuart Lancaster through the England exit

England head coach Stuart Lancaster stepped down today. A nightmare World Cup campaign turned was the key factor, but here are five more episodes that may have hastened his departure.

SAM BURGESS SELECTION

Cross-code convert Sam Burgess came to signify England’s dreadful World Cup. The rugby league star made the 31-man squad despite being in union for less than a year and providing little evidence that he had adapted to the sport. Lancaster went even further by selecting him for the defeat to Wales – and the failed experiment ended with Burgess returning to league in Australia after the tournament.