The future of troubled Bath star Sam Burgess may be a step closer to being decided after the Bath Chronicle reports that the England international has sat down with Bath coach Mike Ford and club captain Stuart Hooper to discuss his future.
Ford claims that Burgess has not expressed a desire to leave Bath and return to Rugby League and has instead been incredibly focused on his training. Burgess had taken time off from his duties at Bath to clear his head and consider his fate and now it seems, he has returned to full training and appears to have found some joy in union once again.
“He looked like he was enjoying himself, he knows that we’ve always seen him as a six. In the way we want to play, he’s a back rower.”
Ford admitted that not having Burgess train over the summer due to the World Cup has slowed his progress, but believes that this won’t have an impact on if he stays or not.
“It’s a pity we didn’t have him over the summer, but he had his World Cup duties and stuff. He would have been further down the track. He’s got two years left on his contract. In the time Sam’s been away there’s been a lot of speculation but he’s here, he’s training.”
In recent months, there has been much speculation over a possible destination, should Burgess choose to quit Bath, and Leeds RL were one fo the favourites. However, Ford dismissed the gossip and argues that the club hasn’t even contacted them over Burgess’ availability.
“Well they haven’t, for a start. The one thing with Sam is that there’s always speculation following him. What’s shocked me a little bit is that it’s never died down since he first came over.”
Leeds Chairman Gary Hetherington also spoke about Burgess and claimed that Leeds are interested in the player and would be willing to splash the cash if a sum were mentioned, but at the moment they are playing a waiting game to see if Bath allow Burgess to speak with other clubs.
“We have registered an interest. We are fully aware that he is contracted to Bath, but we are waiting in the wings if Bath allow him to speak to clubs. Sam may well remain at Bath or go back to Souths, but if he was available, and we recognise that a transfer fee would be required, we are keen.”
Bath take on the London Irish in their next Aviva Premiership fixture and Burgess will no doubt want to feature and prove to the Bath faithful that he deserves their support and a spot in their starting line-up.
