BATH'S England heroes have been challenged to balance the trappings of World Cup-winning fame with maintaining their club's spectacular start to the season.

Head coach John Connolly admits he is expecting big things from the likes of Mike Catt, Mike Tindall, Iain Balshaw and Danny Grewcock in the wake of England's Webb Ellis Trophy triumph.

As a former coach with Queensland, Connolly is well used to dealing with World Cup winners from Australia's successful 1991 and 1999 squads.

And he won't accept anything less than 100 per cent commitment to the Bath cause.

"It's a lift to have them back, but equally, we expect a great deal from those players now,'' said Connolly

"They have to set an example for every other player in the team. Anything short of that, is just not acceptable.

"Their major responsibility is to this club here. They are four players we need to have playing very well.''

Connolly is set to include all four players in his plans for the Premiership trip to Leicester on Saturday, with Catt and Balshaw in particular strong candidates to start.

Leicester have been tipped to include all their England aces, including Martin Johnson.

"It's difficult for them,'' admitted Australian Connolly. "At Queensland in 1991 and 1999, we had as many as 15 guys at a time away with the World Cup.

"Some of them were disrupted and some of them have grown.

"The challenge for our players is to come back and set an example worthy of being world champions.

"That's the expectation of the players here and it's my expectation.''

Connolly will already have been pleased by what he has seen. Catt had to be turned away from training hours after arriving back in the country with England and the others are all desperate to be involved against the Tigers.

Connolly added: "Mentally, it is very tough and I definitely understand how tough it is.''

"Asking them to play this weekend is a huge ask, but they are world champions and along with that are responsibilities.

"There will be cocktail parties, mayoral receptions and everything and they have to keep a balance.

"They are first and foremost rugby players and their commitment is to Bath.''

The RFU have confirmed that Bath skipper Danny Grewcock will receive a World Cup winners' medal.

Grewcock's World Cup was ended early by a hand injury.

Bath flanker Michael Lipman has been suspended for three weeks after being found guilty of illegal use of the boot.

He was shown the red card during the Zurich Premiership clash against Harlequins on Saturday. He will be free to play again on December 18.

FORMER Bath back row Dan Lyle has retired from professional rugby and will leave Leicester Tigers with immediate effect.