Sam Burgess to make South Sydney Rabbitohs return

Sam Burgess will make his rugby league return on Saturday when South Sydney Rabbitohs face the Gold Coast Titans in an NRL trial match.

Burgess, who withdrew from last weekend's All Stars game in order to build up his fitness, has been named in the second row for the Rabbitohs' final pre-season outing.

The 27-year-old led South Sydney to Grand Final glory in 2014, winning the Clive Churchill medal, before moving to England for an unsuccessful stint in union.

The Rabbitohs struggled in his absence, finishing seventh in last season's NRL before losing to Cronulla in the elimination finals, but former skipper Mario Fenech believes Burgess can revive their fortunes.

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"The secret to us is the Sam Burgess factor," Fenech told NRL.com.

"Sam has got a rare quality, where he's a leader. He's got motivation. He leads by example. He's brutally tough. These are all great qualities.

"He holds his own. He's an extremely good athlete. Our forward pack will be far better, and be led far better too by the acquisition of Sam Burgess."

Burgess' brother Tom has been selected at prop against the Titans while Adam Reynolds is also set to feature. The half-back suffered a foot injury in the All Stars game but has been cleared to play.

The Rabbitohs face rivals Sydney Roosters in their opening NRL fixture at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, March 6.