Monday 9 November 2015 10:10, UK
Mike Ford hopes Bath's comfortable 45-14 Aviva Premiership victory over London Irish has drawn a line under the Sam Burgess era at the Rec.
Ford was happy with his side's reaction after a trying week, but he suggested he was caught cold by the 26-year old's decision to return to rugby league in Australia.
"Myself and Stuart Hooper spoke to (Burgess) on Monday," said Ford. "He said he would address the team and at no point did he mention he wanted to leave.
"Whether I was naive or not I was hoping that he'd get through that week, but we never got that chance."
Burgess played 21 games for Bath after joining the club just over a year ago.
He made his England debut in August and was selected for the World Cup ahead of Northampton centre Luther Burrell.
Reflecting on his side's win over London Irish, Ford said he was pleased with the performance and is keen to concentrate on the future and the coming European test against French heavyweights Toulon.
"We're pleased after everything that's happened," he said. "We got some good tries from the backs and we're looking forward to Toulon now."
