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Burgess confirms NRL return

As the Times commented, its speed “has raised questions over his true intentions in rugby union – did he realise it would take too long to master or was he only ever planning to play in the World Cup?”.

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It is a sign of the widespread faith in Burgess’ powers that he leaves one sport as his league’s highest-paid player and is automatically assigned the same status in another.

Confirmation arrived from the Rabbitohs on Thursday evening when they revealed Burgess would be returning to the side with whom he won worldwide Player of the Year honours in 2014.

“I think he was pushed into the England squad ahead of more deserving players”.

So, it was pleasing to hear McNamara confirm that Burgess won’t be considered until 2016 when he is fully back in the bosom of South Sydney and, hopefully, doing what he does best.

Given there are two Burgess brothers to come back into the fray – George is absent due to surgery – plus the expected
arrival on the global scene of Alex Walmsley, another storming prop, an already mighty pack is set to be bursting at the seams with sheer talent.

Not surprisingly, McNamara has named an unchanged 19-man squad, with every indication that this will become an unchanged 17 for the first game of rugby league at the Olympic Stadium.

But the fact Burgess remained close to his family played a major part in his return to rugby league.

Whether Burgess lines up for England in that Valentine’s Day clash, or any other worldwide contest further down the line, remains to be seen, with the only man who can offer a definitive answer as to what his future plans hold yet to speak out on the issue.

Sam Burgess has left Bath with immediate effect, according to the BBC.

Mike Ford admitted he was “gutted” and “disappointed” that Sam Burgess left Bath Rugby before realising his full potential in rugby union. “He’d still only be 28, so he could go back to rugby league then”.

“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”. Djokovic was extremely accurate with his delivery and played better on the key points to see off Czech Berdych, the 2005 champion.

“Sam is with us for the next two years and is under contract”, said Craig, who answered “no” when asked if Burgess had requested permission to leave.

He said: “I’m surprised he went back”.

“To be honest, we never made an offer but were holding a watching brief”.

Burgess, who had been playing at blind-side flanker for his club, was picked at centre for the hosts against Wales in the World Cup and his selection sparked much debate.

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Upon completion of England 2015, Burgess came off the bench in the Premiership opener against Exeter before Ford decided he was jaded and needed time off to gather his thoughts.

Bath and Burgess part ways