Sam Burgess has denied speculation he is looking to make a return to the NRL next year for South Sydney, and his coaches believe hell stay in English rugby until the 2019 World Cup.
Burgess has been named on Englands bench for the World Cup opener against Fiji on Friday at Twickenham, but the ever-present media attention on the 26-year-old this week has been about reports of a possible switch back to rugby league.
The Rabbitohs have been amassing a war chest to make a play at bringing Burgess back to the club next year after a poor season in his absence, and speculation floating out of Redfern is that the big forward is not enjoying rugby.
But Burgess has moved to shut down the rumours.
I can completely deny it, there is no truth in it and I havent had a word from Australia. I dont know where it has come from but its definitely not true, Burgess told reporters.
Lets just crack on because I havent heard anything. Once I made the decision to come over, one of my goals was to play in this World Cup and its 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.
England coach Stuart Lancaster backed the assessment off Bath counterpart Mike Ford in saying that he believed Burgess would not only see out his contract through to 2017, but stay in union until the 2019 World Cup as well.
I had a long conversation with Sam and it wasnt mentioned once. I dont consider it an issue, Lancaster told media.
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.
Source: Fox Sports
