SAM Burgess experienced his first training sessions with Bath this week and Bath head coach Mike Ford says that has merely increased the anticipation of the rugby league convert’s first appearance in club colours.

Burgess, who arrived at the club last month, got involved with training drills after his recovery from a fractured eye socket sustained when his South Sydney Rabbitohs side won Australia’s NRL Grand Final.

Ford insists no final decision on when Burgess will make his Bath debut has yet been made, but was delighted to see his high-profile recruit bed in with his new teammates at the club’s Farleigh House base.

“Sam has just fitted in really well,” said Ford, whose side go to London Irish in the Aviva Premiership tomorrow (3pm).

“In everything we’ve done, he’s just been a normal player and it’s good to have him in there with the rest of the players.

“We’re looking forward to when he gets out on the field, whenever that is.”

In more good news for Ford, the club’s previous back row injury crisis has eased considerably, flanker Matt Garvey making a 20-minute return as a substitute in the win against Newcastle following his summer ankle injury and surgery, while Carl Fearns will also be available this weekend.

Fellow back rowers Francois Louw and Alafoti Fa’osiliva are also back in training and Ford added: “They are all out there (in training) now which is good to see. Our only long-term injury now is (centre) Ben Williams which will be until the new year.

Ford expects tomorrow’s opponents to come out charging following their hefty 36-8 Premiership defeat at Sale last weekend.

“They’ve come off a big loss and their competitiveness as rugby players means they’ll want to come out with all guns blazing,” he said.

“We’re in a good place in the Premiership. We are where we want to be but we need to play well because they are a tough team. We have to make sure we are mentally ready to play.”

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