Sam Burgess trains with Bath but keeps eye on return to Sydney and Rugby League

Sam Burgess, who is at the centre of intense speculation over a potential move back to rugby league, reported for training with his club side Bath on Monday.

Burgess, 26, was given time off by the Premiership team after England’s disastrous World Cup campaign and travelled to Spain to reflect on his future after just one year in the 15-man game.

He is understood to be seeking a return to league with his former club South Sydney Rabbitohs, although Bath’s head coach, Mike Ford, has repeatedly stated that Burgess would see out the remainder of his three-year contract and would be back in training with a view to being selected against London Irish on Saturday.

According to Tom Burgess, an England rugby league international, the uncertainty over his brother’s future is a result of the reception he has received in union. “He was treated a bit unfairly, in my opinion, and that’s probably what’s pushing him away at the moment,” said the 23-year-old.

“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.”

Paul O’Connell could miss all of his first season with his new club Toulon after revealing it could take up to eight months to recover from the injury that ended his Ireland career at the World Cup.

The 36-year-old lock was due to join up with the French side after the tournament but tore his hamstring during the pool win over France three weeks ago, pain the former Ireland captain described as “the worst I’ve experienced as a professional”.

O’Connell, who had stated the World Cup would be his final international duty but opted to extend his club career by moving from Munster to Toulon on a two-year deal, said: “It could be eight months. I need to be on my back for six weeks as I recover to ensure I don’t do any damage after the surgery. I was operated on on the Thursday, after the match on the Sunday, and I’ve just been on the flat of my back since.”

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Without O’Connell and other influential players Johnny Sexton, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Jared Payne, Ireland were beaten 43-20 by Argentina in the quarter-finals. He said his rehabilitation from the injury would be the “biggest challenge of my career”.

Northampton have completed a major coup by signing France No 8 Louis Picamoles on a three-year contract.

Picamoles will arrive at Franklin’s Gardens next summer, bringing down the curtain on a seven-season spell with Top 14 giants Toulouse.

The 29-year-old is one of the few players to have emerged with any credit from France’s dismal World Cup and is known for his ball-carrying, athleticism and offloads.

Northampton’s director of rugby, Jim Mallinder, said: “Louis is a world-class player and a proven performer at the highest level of club and international rugby. He has the drive and ambition to improve and be successful and we’re delighted that he will be doing that with us.”

The Wasps fly-half Jimmy Gopperth has been cited for striking Mathew Tait in Sunday’s 24-16 Premiership defeat by Leicester.