England World Cup squad member Sam Burgess has left Bath with immediate effect and will return to rugby league.

Burgess divided opinion when he switched codes and earned inclusion in England’s World Cup squad. He featured in the midfield, starting in one pool game while coming off the bench twice.

Although Bath had suggested earlier in the week that Burgess was set to remain with the club, having had two years left on a three-year deal, it's now been confirmed that he will return to rugby league club South Sydney Rabbitohs.

'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.

'I had a wonderful time in England and learned 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.'

Burgess has signed for the south Sydney rugby league club for the next three seasons, with the deal touted as the richest per-season contract in rugby league history at a staggering $1.5 million per year.

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