TESTAMENT TO YOUTH

Newbie coach Burgess: I might only be 35, but I've got 20 years' experience

- DAVE CRAVEN

RELAXED Sam Burgess says “the good, bad and ugly” of his playing career has prepped him as Super League’s youngest head coach. 

The former England captain, 35, took charge of Warrington for the first time in Friday's friendly against Widnes. The real business gets underway at beaten Grand Finalists Catalans on February 17.

But Burgess, who found both fame and notoriety Down Under with South Sydney, is not worried about a lack of experience heading into his first top job.

He said: "I know I'm 35 but from 15 to 35 - the last 20 years - there's been a lot crammed in.

"The good, bad and the ugly. I've been right at the top, right at the bottom and been in the middle for a long time.