It seems Sam Burgess' own RU coaches at the Bath club are, not surprisingly, happy with his defence. After less than a full game of Rugby Union, they see him as their "enforcer" & it is already expected he will be in the England RU team. To quote the Press Association today:

Sam Burgess will make his full debut for Bath on Friday night accompanied by a ringing endorsement from the Aviva Premiership club's coaching staff.

Former rugby league star Burgess features at inside centre against Recreation Ground visitors Montpellier in the European Champions Cup.

Burgess' previous two Bath appearances were off the bench following his recovery from a fractured cheekbone injury suffered during Australia's NRL grand final in early October.

The 25-year-old will be partnered in midfield by Jonathan Joseph as Bath look to complete a quickfire Pool Four double over Montpellier after beating them 30-5 in France six days ago.

Burgess' competitive rugby union career so far totals around 50 minutes, but he is already being touted as a contender for England in this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship.

A week before the Six Nations starts, England Saxons will face the Irish Wolfhounds in Cork, and it is thought Burgess is likely to make the Saxons squad for that January 30 encounter.

"Sam getting more game-time is a massive bonus for us," Bath head coach Mike Ford said.

"He is going to be our enforcer, with the way he defends. We're pleased where he is.

"It's a bit disappointing that it has been raining in both games he came on in (against Harlequins and Montpellier) because we didn't have much chance to use him. But what he has done, he's done well so far."

And Ford's coaching colleague Toby Booth added: "The best way for Sam to learn is by getting out there. But it is not just about Sam, it is about what is best for Bath.

"We know from last week that he will bring plenty of physicality, and it will be good for our game-plan to have that.

"It's a strategic decision to get him out there for more minutes."

Sam Burgess is so good that despite having limited experience in Union and even more limited as a centre he completely eclipsed Jamie Roberts and shut him out of the game. On the other hand Roberts struggled to contain Burgess and needed assistance by way of Wales adjusting their defensive structure to put 2 players on Burgess.

This is the much lauded Jamie Roberts, one of the best centres in World Rugby Union, veteran of almost 150 Top Tier Club games, 72 Test matches for Wales, 1 Barbarians appearance and 3 X a Lions Rep. COMPLETELY SHUT OUT BY BURGESS!

England were twice 10 points up and still 7 points ahead when Burgess left the field, only morons and bigoted idiots with an agenda would blame Burgess for that loss.

We got him back! Welcome home Sam!! I knew it was only a matter of time (& Sam achieving an ambition to play in the RUWC) when I saw his face during his Union debut as explained in OP.

well, many of us said he only went to play in this WC and that he had had assurances he would be in the squad as part of the deal to move.despite being rubbished by many other people it now appears that was correct.

1 years 'rest' from the rigorous NRL, time in the spotlight worldwide and a bag full of cash to return still with his prime years left.Whatever way you look at it i doubt Sam Burgess regrets his year out.

Oh yes!