Sam Burgess will play in the back-row for Bath United this evening when they host London Irish A in the Aviva A League.

The 25-year-old cross-code superstar has so far featured at centre during his brief Bath career and this is the first time he will be deployed in the pack.

Bath head coach Mike Ford has always maintained Burgess would start life as a rugby union player in the centres but is open to using him in the back-row in the future and starts at blindside flanker this evening.

Meanwhile, two former Chippenham RFC youngsters are in the matchday 23, with Tom Dunn and Dan Keats both named amongst the replacements.

Charlie Ewels captains a side blended with youth and experience at The Rec. He combines with Tom Ellis in the second row, with Beno Obano and Kane Palma-Newport scrumming down either side of Tom Woolstencroft who starts at hooker.

Burgess is joined in the back-row by Guy Mercer on the openside and David Sisi at number eight.

Will Homer and Rory Jennings partner up in the half-backs, while Richard Lane and Darren Atkins start on the wings. Olly Woodburn continues at outside centre, joining Ollie Devoto, and Horacio Agulla starts at full-back.

Bath United team to face London Irish A: 15 Horacio Agulla, 14 Darren Atkins, 13 Olly Woodburn, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Richard Lane, 10 Rory Jennings, 9 Will Homer, 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Woolstencroft, 3 Kane Palma-Newport, 4 Tom Ellis, 5 Charlie Ewels (capt), 6 Sam Burgess, 7 Guy Mercer, 8 David Sisi. Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Matt Shields, 18 Dan Keat, 19 Will Spencer, 20 Max Northcote-Green, 21 Calum Waters, 22 Marcus Beer, 23 Ed Coulson.