Sam Burgess© Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Bath's Sam Burgess believes a switch to the back row has been beneficial for both player and team, with the cross-code star convinced his new position is improving his union brain.

Burgess, who began his union career at inside centre, will start at blindside for Friday's Aviva Premiership clash with London Irish, having started in the back row for Bath's previous victory at Newcastle.

"The switch from midfield has worked for myself and the team so I'm hoping I can carry on playing in the back row for the rest of this season," Burgess said in his Daily Mail column.

"In league, for nine years, my game has been about taking short balls and looking for holes. At Bath, that is what our forwards do, so moving into the pack makes sense and allows me more time on the field, which is what I need to keep improving my union brain.

"I've found only subtle differences between the positions. Despite enjoying playing at flanker, I have not given up on a centre spot in my future in the game.

"I had a go at six earlier in the season in a couple of A-league games, but obviously that is not the same standard. Now, I feel more comfortable at the breakdown than I did a few months ago and I'm even getting to grips with the line-out.

"Now I've played in two positions, it is interesting to compare them. When I was in midfield, I thought that being a back was tougher and now I am in the pack, I realise that the forwards are the ones putting in the hard yards, but I'm sure if I go back into the backline, I'll change my mind again."

Bath assistant coach Toby Booth insists the back row is where Burgess' club future lies, even if England believe his skills are better suited to the number 12 jersey.

"We've made no secret of the plan for Sam," Booth said. "He would be involved in the game 50 or 60 times a match in rugby league. Compare that to a rugby union centre and that would be about a third.

"Sam wants to be in the game and be influential in games. He really enjoyed that element of being in the back row against Newcastle."

Burgess made his union representative debut for the second-string Saxons in January and then spent time with Stuart Lancaster and the England senior squad before the opening Six Nations clash with Wales.

While Burgess was not involved in any of England's Six Nations matches, he revealed that head coach Lancaster had told him he was pleased with his progress.

"It was a great experience to spend time with the England squad," Burgess said. "Training was intense and I enjoyed it. You never know when the opportunity will come round again, so I just tried to make the most of it.

"Stuart (Lancaster) wants me to do well in the game and wants me to be around the top players in that environment as much as possible, which is great. He just told me to keep doing what I've been doing. He was pretty straight-up with me about where I stood. He told me I wouldn't be part of those Six Nations matches, but he was very happy with how I'm going."