Sam Burgess will stay at Bath, says coach Mike Ford
Thursday 29 October 2015 14:46, UK
Bath head coach Mike Ford insists Sam Burgess will remain with the club amid speculation he may return to rugby league.
The former Bradford Bulls and South Sydney Rabbitohs player made the switch to union last year and was subsequently selected by Stuart Lancaster for England's World Cup squad, a move which divided opinion.
The 26-year-old has missed Bath's opening two games of the season after he was given permission to take a break in Spain, leading to suggestions he might switch codes once again.
But Ford is convinced the flanker, who played as a centre for England, will be back at The Rec once he has taken a post-World Cup break.
When asked if he was 100 per cent certain that Burgess would stay at Bath, Ford told the BBC: "Yes. I've spoken to Sam many times. We've talked about him coming back to Bath, rolling up his sleeves up and playing six [flanker] for us.
"Last week Sam came back into training because initially that's what he wanted, but then he did and he didn't quite feel right. We decided to give him time off there and then, which means that he's gone away to get refreshed and will be back in training on November 2.
"There are no dramas here. Everyone has put two and two together, seen him sitting next to [England rugby league coach] Steve McNamara watching his brother play rugby league."
McNamara himself insists he does not know where Burgess' future lies, although he paid tribute to his ability to make the switch from rugby league to union and Lancaster's World Cup squad.
"It's all speculation. Sam is a very strong character and he will make his own decisions," McNamara told Sky Sports News HQ.
"For him to go from rugby league having never played a game in rugby union, to actually get selected for the World Cup squad and play games, is an unbelievable achievement that shouldn't be underestimated.
"We can all argue whether he should or shouldn't have been selected, that is up for debate. But the fact he has done that in the space of 12 months is a great achievement.
"I am sure at some point he will come back to rugby league but when that will be is up in the air. As for the current speculation, I am no wiser than anybody else."
Former Australia and Japan head coach Eddie Jones also entered the debate, arguing Burgess should have been given more game-time prior to the World Cup.
"The big mistake with Sam Burgess was if they thought he was good enough with the World Cup squad, they should have started playing him in the Six Nations," he said.
"If he was going to be a centre they should have played him there in the Six Nations, given him two or three games, so he goes into the World Cup and you know what you are going to get.
"The guy has obviously got talent, he is a magnificent footballer. What he isn't at the moment is a magnificent rugby [union] footballer and you only get that through experience.
"Ultimately, what does he want to do in life? Does he want to be a rugby union player or does he want to be a rugby league player? That's his decision and no one can make it for him."
