ACADEMY graduate Kane Palma-Newport is determined to make the most of his recent run of game time at Bath Rugby.

Tighthead prop Palma-Newport was handed a first Aviva Premiership start of the season last weekend as Bath slipped to a 16-6 loss at Exeter Chiefs – the first time he has made the XV for a league game in more than three years.

That was just a sixth Premiership outing of the season for the Bath-born 24-year-old, although half of those have come in the last three games.

Palma Newport’s ascension has come off the back of Henry Thomas’ England call-up and an injury to Davey Wilson, meaning he is likely to see more action against Sale Sharks tonight.

And with both Wilson and Thomas likely to be frequently missing from the ranks at The Rec in the near future as the progress their careers in the Red Rose camp, Palma-Newport is keen to make a name for himself in the Bath front-row.

“It’s been fantastic. With the internationals being away and unfortunately Davey being injured it’s given me a bit of an opportunity to get some game time under my belt,” said Palma-Newport.

“It’s nice to know that I will be involved for a good chunk of time as you can get into a bit of a groove. When you play for two weeks but then aren’t involved again for a while it’s hard to get that same rhythm.

“With the World Cup coming up at the start of next season there will be guys away again then too.

“Now is the time to hopefully build the coaches’ faith in me so they know I can do a job if I’m needed to be called upon during that period too.”

Sam Burgess has insisted he must scrap all thoughts of his England ambitions and focus on honing his rugby union skills at Bath.

The rugby league convert admitted he has learned more in the last three weeks than at any time of his cross-code switch.

Burgess made his England bow in the second-string Saxons’ 18-9 victory over Ireland Wolfhounds in Cork in January, but is refusing to target his Test debut.

“I’ll leave those guys outside things to talk about it all,” Burgess said on his England chances.

“I would just rather continue enjoying my time at Bath and see how things turn out. I’ve just got to get on with the job at Bath, knuckle down and work hard. I’ve learned more in the last three weeks than at any point.’’