Friday 28 November 2014 20:34, UK
Sam Burgess may make his debut for Bath on Friday night after being named on the bench for the game against Harlequins.
The 25-year-old is a high-profile convert to the sport after enjoying great success as a rugby league player and is on course to make his first appearance a full month ahead of schedule.
Burgess suffered a cheekbone and eye socket fracture on October 5 in the first minute of the NRL Grand Final but refused to leave the field and helped South Sydney to a 30-6 win over Canterbury Bulldogs.
He had been due to make his top-flight union debut against Exeter Chiefs two days after Christmas but has now confirmed to Bath coaches he is now ready for action.
There has been some dispute about which position will suit Burgess best in union, with Bath head coach Mike Ford having suggested the big-money recruit may eventually switch to the back row.
Burgess said: “A few areas have been thrown around. If I am quite honest, I don't know where I am best suited. Over time, I think that will become clear.
"Nothing is set in stone, and there is no pressure on myself from Mike to do anything. I am just going to get in there, knuckle down, and do my best."
And England rugby union backs coach Andy Farrell, himself a successful convert from being a forward in rugby league to playing at centre in union at international level, urged the sport to allow Burgess time to settle in his new code of the game.
"I think we're all excited for him to get out there," said Farrell, "I'm sure there's nobody more excited than Sam because there's a lot of questions he'll be asking himself and he'll be able to find out tonight, whether that's for ten minutes or not, we'll have to wait and see.
"But it's only proper and right to say let's cut him a bit of slack - he's gotta be able to find his own feet and let's give him months for that - he's gotta be able to go out there on the field of play and make his errors, dust himself down and learn from those errors and find out how he wants to play the game, that's the most importatnt thing, and we'll be able to judge him in months down the line.
"We've got to allow him time and space. He'll learn very quickly, I've no doubt about that, he just needs to be able to do what Sam does best and get his own performance out there week in, week out, and we'll see where that takes us."
