Blackadder has replaced Mike Ford, who was sacked in May following Bath’s disappointing season in which they finished ninth and failed to get out of their group in Europe. George, who was brought to the club from Leicester by his father, signed a two-year extension to his contract following last year’s Rugby World Cup but was unsettled by developments at the Rec. Any immediate fears that he too would move on have been dispelled and on Wednesday Blackadder made him club vice-captain.

“It is a real testament to George that you would never know [about it],” said Blackadder. “He is a fantastic young man and has been open with me. These things are pretty tough. Family always comes first. I have so much respect for him. I want all of our players to stay. After what that young man has been through, he didn’t hesitate to be vice-captain of the team. That says a lot about him and how he cares about things. He’ll have a decision to make at some stage.”