Gordon D'Arcy has given a damning verdict of Sam Burgess' display in England's Rugby World Cup clash with Wales, stating that his "naivety" during Saturday's defeat at Twickenham could cost the hosts a place in the quarter-finals.

Burgess was given the nod to start at centre alongside Brad Barritt, with Owen Farrell named as fly-half in a new-look England midfield for the Pool A encounter.

England were beaten 28-25 by Warren Gatland's injury-hit side and former Ireland centre D'Arcy believes Stuart Lancaster could be left to rue handing former rugby league star Burgess a surprise start with so much at stake.

He wrote in his Irish Times column: "It's simply not possible for him to be ready. And now we have proof.

"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.

"Stuart Lancaster picked a league convert who doesn't know how to play inside centre for the biggest match England have played since the 2007 World Cup final. To compound the problem, Brad Barritt was out of position at 13 and exposed accordingly when it mattered most."

He added: "By picking Owen Farrell, Burgess and Barritt, England didn't come to Twickenham to play rugby. We all knew this.

"Burgess never got to the pace against Wales. He clearly bust a gut but effort and strength were never going to be enough. Barritt was arguably worse and badly exposed for the Gareth Davies try.

"By then the Burgess experiment had been abandoned because the England coaching team accepted, long after everyone else, that he had no idea what was happening."