Sam Burgess Speaks Out On His Return To Rugby League

Sam Burgess says family reasons were behind his decision to return to rugby league after one season in rugby union.

The cross-code international, 26, has left Bath and rejoined NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs on a three-year deal.

“I want to thank everyone at England Rugby and Bath for some great memories over the last 12 months,” Burgess said.

“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.”

Burgess started his career in Super League with the Bradford Bulls, before joining the Rabbitohs in 2010. After playing 96 games for the club, where he won the NRL title in his last game, he joined Premiership side Bath and just 21 appearances and 10 months later, was called up to the England squad for the World Cup.

However, the tournament hosts went out of the competition at the group stages, and Burgess was a controversial selection, picked at centre rather than in the back row where he had been playing for Bath.

“I am extremely excited to be joining back up with South Sydney,” he added. “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.

“I look forward to getting stuck into training with all the boys and working hard for the upcoming season.”