No offers for Sam Burgess, says Bath owner Bruce Craig

Bath owner Bruce Craig says he has received no approaches for Sam Burgess and is insistent he sees out the remainder of his contract.

Burgess is expected to be on the bench for his Aviva Premiership return on Saturday against London Irish, having returned to training on Monday after a post-World Cup break.

Since England's exit from the tournament, much has been said and written about Burgess' future in union, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs linked with a move for the league recruit, along with Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

But Bath are in no mood to let him leave and Craig even went on the record that they might look to extend his contract beyond the 2019 World Cup.

"Sam is with us for the next two years and is under contract," said Craig, who answered "no" when asked if Burgess had asked to leave.

"No one has come in for Sam. At the moment, he's with us and is in our Champions Cup squad. We're not in negotiations with anyone. Leeds haven't been in contact with me.

"It's resolved at the moment. Sam is contracted with us. As far we're concerned, he's with us and will continue playing for us."

Burgess was played as a centre by England coach Stuart Lancaster during the World Cup, but Craig says he will be playing in the back-row for his club.

"We brought Sam over with a specific brief, which was that he'd play in the back row," Craig added. "That's where he'll play for us. That's where we see him and where his best qualities are and where Sam sees himself.

"If he wasn't picked in the England squad, obviously his development would have increased. I'm absolutely sure he can be a star of the World Cup if he sticks around. I think he can be a great number six."