Robinson and Burgess show how Sale cross-code signing Charnley can be success

“What happened with Sam was nothing short of a disgrace. He was played in one position by England and another by his club. You just can’t do that.”

Repeat of bad example Burgess must be avoided

Burgess was certainly fast-tracked into England’s union set-up, and made for an easy scapegoat when the Red Rose became the first Rugby World Cup host nation to bow out at the pool stage.

Stuart Lancaster took a chance on a convert just like Clive Woodward did on Robinson, and Diamond thinks Eddie Jones could do the same somewhere down the line.

“His ambition is to play at the highest level and his first obstacle is to get picked here,” the Sharks boss added of Charnley. “If he does that and consistently plays well, then I’m sure the new England set-up will look at players like him.”

Robinson a role model, but can Charnley compare?

Like successful cross-codes convert Robinson, Charnley has distinguished himself in Cherry and White, but Sale’s chief would not be drawn into making comparisons between the two.

“We’re getting an established international finisher,” Diamond continued. “Nobody can compare anybody to Jason, but Josh comes with a fantastic tryscoring record and he’s an unbelievable goal kicker.”

Charnley continues to deliver for Wigan, who sit second in the Super League after nine games, with seven tries, five goals and two penalties this term. Warriors are 13/8 to be regular season winners, and better at 15/8 to be victorious in the Grand Final.

Charnley in, Cipriani out

Amid some sweeping changes at next union club Sale, who are losing England’s overlooked fly half Danny Cipriani for a return to Wasps and replacing him Dublin-born USA international AJ MacGinty, Charnley’s career after crossing codes will be watched with interest.

Whether he turns out to be a Burgess or a Robinson remains to be seen, but both examples combine to show Sharks and Charnley how to undergo the transition right.

Alternatively, as Diamond observes: “If he doesn’t make it after a year or two, then he could always go back and be a top class rugby league player.”

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