Sam Burgess has been named in a 41-man Bath squad for this season's European Champions Cup as speculation intensifies he's on the verge of returning to rugby league just 12 months after switching codes.
Burgess features in the group of players named by Bath for the tournament that kicks off next month.
Bath's opening Champions Cup game is away against reigning European champions Toulon on November 15.
Burgess' future could start to become clearer next Monday, when he is due to resume training with the Aviva Premiership club.
England World Cup centre Burgess, who has two years left on his contract with Bath, has taken a break in Spain.
Reports, though, have stated that a return to rugby league side South Sydney Rabbitohs is under serious consideration.
A Bath spokesperson on Thursday insisted "Sam Burgess is just starting the second year of a three-year contract with Bath Rugby".
"We gave him time off after he returned from the World Cup, as we will all England players, and he will be back in training on Monday," the spokesperson said.
Bath head coach Mike Ford, meanwhile, admits that Burgess "didn't quite feel right" after the World Cup, but is convinced he will remain a rugby union player.
Ford can expect to be quizzed on the Burgess subject following Bath's Premiership home game against Harlequins on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Radio on Thursday, Ford said: "Last week, Sam came back into training because initially that's what he wanted, but then he did and he didn't quite feel right."
"We decided to give him time off there and then, which means that he's gone away to get refreshed and will be back in training on November 2," Ford said.
Share
