But England boss Steve McNamara is convinced Burgess will head back to Australia if he quits union.
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On Tuesday, Bath head coach Mike Ford confirmed Burgess would be rested for Saturday’s Premiership game with Harlequins, but rubbished reports of him leaving the club.
Last week his brothers Tom and George each agreed to contract extensions at Souths through to the end of the 2018 season. If he decides on an early return to the 13-man code, there will be enough red faces at Twickenham to fill the stadium. He did not play global rugby union until August this year, when he featured in England’s warmup game against France.
“Whether he stays or not, it is another dirty chapter in the story that is not really his making”.
Burgess switched codes to rugby last November, and had earned just one cap for England prior to his selection.
“If I was in his position – given the choice of being a superstar rugby league player or tried week in week out in rugby union – I know what I would do”.
But there is little doubt Burgess, widely regarded as the best rugby league player on the planet before his move to The Rec, would command a spot in the England team for rugby league’s Four Nations tournament to be held in England and Scotland in autumn 2016.
However, a number of hurdles would have to be overcome before Burgess could return to South Sydney – where he won a premiership in 2014.
Contacted by Omnisport on Thursday, the Rabbitohs declined to comment on recruitment – saying Burgess was contracted to Bath.
Burgess sat with the England rugby league coach staff during the 84-4 demolition of France at the Leigh Sports Village.
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Super League clubs would also try to break the bank to sign the 26-year-old former Bradford Bulls forward. His final match for the club came in the 2014 NRL Grand Final, during which he suffered a broken cheek bone during the first play.
