Saturday 29 November 2014 14:28, UK
Sam Burgess has revealed he'll stay at centre 'for now' having made his long-awaited rugby union debut in Bath's 25-6 win over Harlequins.
The Recreation Ground was treated to a 20-minute cameo from the cross-code star, who revealed after the game he expects to stay in the three-quarter line for the foreseeable future despite calls to immediately start moulding him into a back-row forward.
The 25-year-old said after the bonus-point victory: "I've been mixing it up in training but I think I'll stay at centre for now, certainly over the next few games.
"But we've got a lot of time. It's certainly not an overnight transition and the worst thing we could do is rush it. It was always going to be hard but I've really enjoyed it and everyone's been open to teaching me things.
"The game's tough to learn and I was sat on the bench a little bit nervous. I haven't felt that for a while but I enjoyed the feeling and the adrenalin and once you get on the field you just enjoy the game."
It's certainly not an overnight transition and the worst thing we could do is rush it. It was always going to be hard but I've really enjoyed it and everyone's been open to teaching me things.
When asked of his ambitions to make England's Rugby World Cup squad, Burgess added: "I think everyone's got an eye on the World Cup.
"I'm not going to be naive and dismiss it, but it would be stupid to waste energy looking at that. I'm using all my energy to focusing on training here with the guys, knuckling down and working hard with my team-mates at Bath.
"It's great to be part of that. We train intensely and it's been great to slot into that environment, but I will learn most through time on the field with the guys."
Bath head coach Mike Ford said of Burgess: "The two carries he had were very, very good. He needs to get out there and play and when the pressure's on that will accelerate his learning.
"There's a plan there and Sam's first few games are going to come at 12 (inside centre), but when it's dry we're going to have a look at him in the back row as well.
"Personally, I think that will suit Sam personally more. It's a gut feeling of mine as he's a guy who carries and tackles a lot and I don't want to stick him out in the centre to do nothing.
"That's not his skill set. Can we get him over the gain line with six, seven or eight on his back? Of course we can and the next month or so we'll know where he is. My vision is for Sam to be a barnstorming back row and we'll see how it unfolds, it'll be a good journey."
