Bath head coach Mike Ford set to give update on Sam Burgess situation

Burgess reported for training on Monday after being given time off by Ford to reflect on his future amid speculation he is seeking a route back to rugby league just one year into his three-year contract at the Recreation Ground.

Ford, who will face the media today at Bath's press conference for their Aviva Premiership clash with London Irish, last week revealed Burgess "didn't quite feel right" upon his return from England's failed World Cup campaign.

The Premiership runners-up have included Burgess in their 41-man squad for this season's European Champions Cup, but his return to league with South Sydney Rabbitohs just 12 months after switching codes appears inevitable.

England were determined to take the 26-year-old to the World Cup, dropping the more established Northampton centre Luther Burrell to fast track a player who they felt offered leadership and big-game experience.

Other than a strong final-quarter cameo off the bench against a tiring Fiji in the World Cup opener, he was unable to make an impression on the tournament as the hosts crashed out in the pool stage.

His union transition has been made harder by England's insistence on using him as an inside centre while last season he played his best rugby for Bath at blindside flanker.

According to his brother Tom, the uncertainty over Burgess' future is a result of the welcome he has received in union.

"Speaking truthfully, he was probably treated a bit unfairly in my opinion and that's probably what's pushing him away at the moment," Tom said after helping England's rugby league team to a 26-12 win over New Zealand in Hull.

"He's had a week or 10 days off that Mike Ford gave him to refresh him a little bit mentally and he'll assess his options. He's not made any decision as yet, at the moment he's still with Bath."