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Ford expresses disappointment at Burgess exit
Bath Rugby head coach Mike Ford has admitted he is disappointed Sam Burgess has left the club, to return to South Sydney Rabbitohs, before realising his full potential in rugby union.
Burgess has rejoined his former club on a three-year deal after a compensation deal was agreed between Rabbitohs and Bath last Thursday.
The Bath head coach never wavered from his view that 26-year-old Burgess would have matured into an international class flanker, though this now remains to be seen after Burgess headed back to rugby league after just one year away from the sport.
Burgess, who was supposed to be included in Saturday's squad which defeated London Irish, was said to be considering his future since returning from England duty at the World Cup, a tournament which saw the makeshift centre recieve plenty of criticism.
Speaking following his side's victory over London Irish, Ford admitted he was surprised at how fast developments had unfolded after the South Sydney side began negotiating with Bath on Wednesday evening.
Offering his thoughts on the topic, Ford said: ""The deal was done on Thursday. I'm gutted. I'm disappointed because I think he could have been a very good rugby union player.
"For me, it was just the start of his career at Bath. He only played back row six or seven times at Bath Rugby at the end of last season.
"It's a pity he didn't have a pre-season with us so he could learn.
"For me it was a time for him to roll up his sleeves and crack on, but for family reasons he decided to move back to Australia," Ford added.
"It's disappointing as I feel he has potentially left too early and we're short of a very good back-row player, and England are short of a potentially good back-row player internationally.
"Hypothetically if he'd stayed with us, he might still be here," Ford said. "That's not having a go at England. He could could have learned his stuff with Bath Rugby.
"I think England knocked him hard – the disappointment that is – and ultimately he missed his family too much and has gone back home," said Ford.
Burgess was said to be struggling with homesickness during the previous campaign, and now rejoins his three brothers playing in the Australian NRL.
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