Sam Burgess will make his first rugby union start this weekend

Rugby league convert Sam Burgess will make his first start in union this weekend, according to his manager.

Bath coach Toby Booth said on Monday that head coach Mike Ford was to start the 25-year-old against Montpellier in the Euopean Champions Cup on Friday.

He played just 28 minutes in his second outing for Bath, a 30-5 Champions Cup pool stage win over the same team last Saturday.

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Burgess has made just two substitute appearances in total for Bath since swapping South Sydney for the 15-a-side game in October.

His debut came against Harlequins while he also came off the bench against Montpellier in their away clash at the weekend.

“We know from last weekend that he will bring plenty of physicality, and it will be good for our game plan to have that,” Booth said in the Bath Chronicle.

Burgess is likely to start at inside centre, replacing fellow ex-league man Kyle Eastmond.

“The best way for Sam to learn is by being out there,” Booth added.