Sam Burgess has denied reports in Australia that he is planning a swift return to rugby league next year with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The build-up to England’s Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji at Twickenham on Friday has been interrupted by speculation that Burgess is ready to switch codes for a second time and rejoin the club he helped win last October’s NRL grand final.

Burgess, however, insists he is focused only on winning his third cap when he steps off the bench against the Islanders.

“I can completely deny it, there is no truth in it and I haven’t had a word from Australia. I don’t know where it has come from but it’s definitely not true,” Burgess said.

“I am not too worried really. If this story was meant to unsettle me, I’m not sure it has worked!

“Let’s just crack on because I haven’t heard anything. It is just a beat up story, so let’s put it to bed.

“Once I made the decision to come over, one of my goals was to play in this World Cup and it’s here now.

“For me I have just got to get out there and do my bit for the team and this country. I will give it my heart.”

Sam Burgess is going nowhere.

Bath head coach Mike Ford has stated that Burgess would see out the two years left on his contract, while his England counterpart Stuart Lancaster sees the 26-year-old staying in union until the 2019 World Cup.

“I had a long conversation with Sam and it wasn’t mentioned once. I don’t consider it an issue,” Lancaster said.

“He has come to rugby union because he wants to play international rugby union and he has ambitions further down the line to make it beyond just England. He wants to play in this World Cup and the next World Cup.”