Friday 6 November 2015 10:22, UK
Sam Burgess has signed a three-year deal to return to rugby league with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Rumours about the future of the 26-year-old had been swirling since England's Rugby World Cup exit and reports earlier on Thursday claimed he had brought an early end to his stay in union with Bath.
Confirmation arrived from the Rabbitohs on Thursday evening when they revealed Burgess would be returning to the side with whom he won International Player of the Year honours in 2014.
Sam Burgess exit trouble for Stuart Lancaster, Stuart Barnes says
He was part of their NRL Grand Final-winning side before being tempted into a move to union, with Bath securing his signature on a three-year deal for a fee of £500,000 in February 2014.
Bath decided to play Burgess predominately as a blindside flanker, but he was utilised by England at inside centre with coach Stuart Lancaster facing criticism for his decision to include him in his World Cup squad despite a lack of experience playing in the back division.
Burgess only won his first cap in the run-up to the tournament and was handed a start in the vital game against Wales, coming off with England still in front in a game they went on to lose.
He was given an extended break by Bath after England's exit from the tournament and rumours grew that he was looking to return to league, Leeds Rhinos also revealing an interest in signing him along with the Rabbitohs.
But Burgess now reunites with his brothers George and Thomas in Australia, and he said: "I want to thank everyone at England Rugby and Bath for some great memories over the last 12 month.
"I must also thank Bath especially for granting my release to return home to my family who I have missed more than I could have imagined.
"I am also extremely excited to be joining back up with South Sydney. I cannot wait to get back into the Rabbitohs culture, full of great people and passionate members and supporters.
"I had a wonderful time in England and learnt a lot about the game of Rugby Union as both a back and a forward, and I have definitely developed as an all-round player and athlete after that.
"I'm now very lucky to be given the chance to come back to Souths and serve this club and its members. I look forward to getting stuck into training with all the boys and working hard for the upcoming season."
Rabbitohs head coach Michael Maguire is delighted to have Burgess back in his plans, as he told the club's website:
"I could not be happier to see Sam coming home to the Rabbitohs," Maguire said. "He had an enormously positive impact on our club, both on and off the field, throughout the five seasons he was here, and to be bringing back one of the game's most dominant players is fantastic for not only our club, but the game itself.
"He will add starch to our forward pack, and he will bring his leadership qualities to the team as well. He wanted to test himself in Rugby Union and he achieved many of his goals, becoming a dual international for England and representing his country at a Rugby World Cup.
"The next chapter is for him to return to the game he was born to play, and we're over the moon that he is coming home to do that with his Rabbitohs family here at South Sydney."
