Burgess pencilled in for Euro Cup

 

Having lost their first two pool games, Bath face must-win matches away, then home, to Montpellier starting this weekend.

 

After his side comfortably beat Harlequins 25-6 at The Rec last week, Ford revealed he has provisionally penciled Burgess into his match-day squad for the clashes with the French club.

 

So far, the League convert’s union game time amounts to only 17 minutes and two carries.

 

There is still much speculation around Burgess' best position with the former Rabbitohs man coming on as a back replacement against the Harlequins, but with his preference seemingly aimed at the forward pack.

 

Despite his inexperience, and despite the likes of George Ford and Anthony Watson returning from England duty to bolster the back division, Ford is prepared to give Burgess more game time at club rugby’s top table.

 

“Hell have more game time this week,” Ford predicted.

 

“He just needs to get out there. He needs to learn for real, really.

 

“We can do as much training as we can, but it’s out there, when the pressure is on, that will accelerate his learning.

 

“I’ve no doubt he’ll do that so, we’re keen get him involved as much as we can now.”

 

Ford has admitted he has a “plan” for the former rugby league superstar. He will blood him at inside centre – refusing to give a timescale on how long that would last – but his gut tells him Burgess will excel as a “barnstorming back rower” who relishes the big carries and tackles.

 

Of Burgess’ debut at No.12, a month before he was expected to don the blue, black and white in a first team match, Ford said: “Good, real good. The two carries he had were very, very good.

 

“I don’t want him to stand out there and not do much, but that’s the game sometimes, when it rains and the set piece is on top. The backs don’t really see the ball much.

 

“There’s a plan there and Sam’s first few games are going to come at No.12, but when it’s dry we’re going to have a look at him as a loose forward as well.

 

“Personally, I think that will suit Sam more. It’s a gut feeling of mine, as he’s a guy who carries and tackles a lot and I don’t want to stick him out in the centre to do nothing.

 

“That’s not his skill set. Can we get him over the gain line with No.6, No.7 or even No.8 on his back? Of course we can, and the next month or so we’ll know where he is.

 

“My vision is for Sam to be a barnstorming loose forward and we’ll see how it unfolds. It’ll be a good journey.”