An early Bath debut for Burgess

Sam Burgess could be in line to make a surprise debut for Bath this Friday following his cross-code switch, and just weeks after fracturing his cheekbone and eye socket in the NRL Grand Final.

The 25-year-old suffered the injury in the first minute of the title decider between his South Sydney side and Canterbury Bulldogs at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on October 5, but he played on and helped his team to victory.

He has only recently resumed training following his move to union and the Recreation Ground, but has impressed so much that Bath coach Mike Ford is tempted to include him on the replacements' bench for Friday's Aviva Premiership clash with Harlequins.

"It might be a possibility," Ford told the Wiltshire Times.

"We haven't decided on the team for Friday yet. We will keep a close eye on him over the next few days to see where he is.

"We are just waiting for Sam to tell us when he feels ready. He had a great session (on Tuesday) but with him we just need to take it day by day."