Sam Burgess leaves Bath with immediate effect

Sam Burgess has left Bath with immediate effect to return to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The 26-year-old, who had two years left on a three-year deal, had been linked in recent weeks with a return to Rugby League since his involvement in England‘s disastrous World Cup campaign.
He switched codes to join the West Country last October but will now head back to Australia to play for his former club.
He said: “I want to thank everyone at England Rugby and Bath for some great memories over the last 12 months,” he 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.
“I am extremely excited to be joining back up with South Sydney. I cannot wait to get back into the Rabbitohs culture, full of great people and passionate members and supporters.”
In a statement Bath said “The Club has remained committed to Burgess’s ongoing development as a rugby union player since his move to the West Country, but now recognises that, for personal reasons, he no longer sees his future in the 15-man game.
“Having settled on agreeable terms within the last 24 hours, Bath Rugby are therefore releasing Burgess with immediate effect.”
Head Coach Mike Ford commented: “We hoped that Sam would stay at Bath. He was doing really well in making the switch over from league and, given time, he could’ve been a great rugby union player. Unfortunately, for personal reasons, he is returning to Australia.
“However, we’re fortunate that we’ve got some very high calibre players here at the Club, and with a big run of games coming up in the Aviva Premiership and the European Rugby Champions Cup, we’ll be fully focused on these.”.