SAM Burgess could be in line for his Bath Rugby debut after being named on the bench for tomorrow night’s Aviva Premiership showdown at home to Harlequins (7.45pm).

England rugby league international Burgess arrived at The Rec at the end of October, eight months after his cross-code move from Australian NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs was originally announced.

The 25-year-old only started training with his new club colleagues for the first time last week after completing the final stages of his recovery following facial surgery.

But Bath are keen to get Burgess involved on a matchday as quickly as possible and, after head coach Mike Ford revealed to the Wiltshire Times that it could be this week, Burgess was confirmed in the 23-man squad this lunchtime.

Meanwhile Ford says nobody at Bath is taking Harlequins lightly as they prepare for tonight’s showdown.

Quins are an established member of the Premiership’s recognised top four and have qualified for the end-of-season play-offs in each of the last three seasons.

Conor O’Shea’s side have enjoyed a far from stellar start to the 2014-15 campaign, however, and last weekend’s 16-12 defeat at home to Sale Sharks was their fourth loss in the opening eight league games.

But Ford is readying his troops for a stern response from the Londoners.

“We still view Quins as a top-four side, just like we do Leicester,” said Ford.

“We’re only a third of the way through the season so there’s still a long way to go. We’d expect them to be up challenging near the top before the end of it.

“These games between teams in the top four are extra special and we know how close they can be. We’re all looking forward to what should be a great test.

“If we can get through this game and get a win and make it three wins from three over the autumn we’ll be pretty satisfied with what we’ve done.”

Bath edged to a 33-23 victory at London Irish last weekend to move into the Premiership’s top three, just two points behind leaders Northampton Saints.

After missing out on a play-off finish in agonising fashion last term, Ford says it is imperative Bath stay as close as they can to the league’s front runners.

“We have to try and stay in – or in touch with – the top two if we can. Last year Saracens and Northampton ran away with it,” said Ford.

“Everyone always says it but it’s such fine margins in the Premiership.

“If we’d got the ball down at the end against Northampton and got a try for a draw we’d be top of the table instead of them.”

Bath include England duo Kyle Eastmond and Semesa Rokoduguni following their release from the Red Rose squad this week.

Paul James is on the bench instead of at Wales’ international against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium because the match falls outside the International Rugby Board’s autumn Test window.

Ollie Devoto and Peter Stringer are set to make their 50th appearances in tomorrow night's match.

Devoto starts at fly-half, while scrum-half Stringer is on the bench.

Bath: 15 Gavin Henson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Ollie Devoto, 9 Chris Cook, 1 Nick Auterac 2 Ross Batty, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 5 Dominic Day, 6 Matt Garvey 7 David Sisi, 8 Leroy Houston.

Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Paul James, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Carl Fearns, 21 Peter Stringer 22 Sam Burgess, 23 Horacio Agulla.