Aviva Premiership
Bath coach Mike Ford confident Sam Burgess will be back in training on Monday
PA Sport
October 31, 2015
© David Jones/Getty Images

A year and a day since Sam Burgess was unveiled as a Bath player, head coach Mike Ford was tight-lipped about the 26-year-old's rugby future.

England Rugby World Cup centre Burgess, who has two years left on his contract with Bath, has been on holiday in Spain since making an appearance as a replacement against Exeter two weeks ago.

However, while he has been overseas there has been no end of speculation that a return to rugby league side South Sydney Rabbitohs is under serious consideration.

Ford, speaking after his side's shock 38-28 defeat to Harlequins, revealed that he had spoken to Burgess in recent days but would only say:

"Hopefully he has (recharged the batteries) and he'll be back in training on Monday.

"Every player will get time off. In Sam's case it happened earlier than planned."

If Burgess does decide to make a rapid return to rugby league, it could leave Bath short of back row resources, especially after Welsh head coach Warren Gatland blocked the signing of No.8 Taulupe Faletau from the Dragons earlier this week.

Of more immediate concern, however, was an injury to England lock Dave Attwood late in the game.

On the defeat by Harlequins, who owed their win to a faultless 28-point haul by fly-half Nick Evans, Ford said: "We're totally gutted about the performance, especially the discipline side of it."

© PA Sport

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