My gut feeling is that he wants to return to RL but Bath are sticking to their guns - the owners comments seem to suggest that. I think they'll release him if they get a stellar offer but I'd be surprised if any RL club could afford that. So, if Sam is set on going his only option may be to sit it out and refuse to play. After a while Bath would then no doubt sell to cut their losses. Can't see he'd do that though - not a great thing to do reputationally. If I recall it was alleged at the time that was what Martin Offiah did when he wanted to leave Widnes for Wigan. Obviously I am not sure what the truth was though.

No statement from Sam must be annoying the hell out of the Union Media Spin Doctors, if I was him I would just carry on with normal business at Bath and make the media more rumour stupid than it already is.

He's on $1.2 mill at bath and would demand a transfer fee so not a cheap option for any NRL club.

No. I'm guessing Sam's mind is made up and he's told his manager of the move to RL he wants.

The messages coming out of the Bath RU hierarchy are just an attempt to get as big a transfer fee as possible. But they didn't seem too bothered about the question of honouring contracts when Sam was tapped up and induced to leave South Sydney.

Sam is also being well advised. Turn up. Train. Say nothing publicly. Play if asked - all so contract is not breached.

Then you have Hetherington - also saying the right things but this time so as to minimise any transfer fee. I don't care how much money the Bath owner might have left, he won't be able to out-canny GH.

All means it takes time, especially if the deal has to cover the financial arrangements for Leeds for 2016 and Souths for 2017+.

But, as you see in soccer, if a player doesn't want to play for a particular club or if his heart isn't in it, they will always get the move in the end.

Will be glad when Sam is finally back in RL and we can get on with the game and leave the Union lot to get on with their own game.

Released from Bath Rugby with immediate effect, per BBC Sport

Re signed for south Sydney

Fantastic News for RL.

Brilliant...get him in the 3rd test match

yes, glad he is back where he belongs in the greatest game.Can England call him up?

England squad please. No brainer for the sake of publicity.
If he is match fit then he can be in the 19
If not he should be sat with the coach anyway

Great for RL in general and especially England RL.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34732141 You should always pay attention to your mum, she knows best!

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34732141 You should always pay attention to your mum, she knows best!

Great news for RL and for England, welcome back from the dark side.
Plus the added bonus that, he hasn't signed for the Rhinos

I don't think we've called up a replacement for Sam Tomkins so can we even add players to the squad at this stage.

We should get him sat next to McNamara though at the 2nd test, especially considering how much they love to cut to a shot of the coaches all the bloody time.

I would put him in the 3rd Test squad (if we win on Saturday) and put him on the bench for a last 10 minutes cameo.

I would hope the RLIF and NZRL would agree to a rule change even if the current rules of the test series would prevent it, it's all about striking while the iron is hot and making the most of the publicity. Beneficial to all parties involved.



If we could tie in the announcement with a release of tickets for next years international tournament...

Some tw*t of a Daily Mail writer has written that SB's time in RU will be remembered as an "abject failure." I have commented appropriately! I suppose if he's stayed at Bath he'd have written something different!

Winning the games is the best publicity.
Having an unfit Burgess isn't going to help.

That's the whole point of the mistake England RU made. Although he was good enough he shouldn't really have been in the England setup until he'd proved himself.
If they'd left him out and played him in next years Internationals the media would have been bleating about him not playing and how good he is.

He can be in the 4 nations next time.

Hope he's introduced to the crowd on the pitch on Saturday - either in the build up or at half time. Would be good PR on national TV.

Let him have a rest, and get ready for next season. The guy must be exhausted mentally.

From what I read elsewhere seems likely Sam's straight off to Sydney and not meeting up with England RL.

Has he actually signed for Souths yet? Most reports I see say he's left Bath and Souths are favourites to sign him. Is it clear he's coming back to RL?

Well the story has been broken a few hours now and Bath haven't come out to deny which you'd think they would it he wasn't leaving.

As for Souths, as I mentioned on the Leeds board. It's still very early morning in Australia so maybe a couple hours away from any word from them at the moment.

Oh we have been knocked out in the group stage who shall we blame, the new boy from the other code. It isn't one players fault your national team is s**t union!! Ours beat new Zealand I would like to see yours do that!

Funny how union world was saying burgess was doing well domestically until they needed to blame someone.

Welcome back Sam, you're very welcome!

Can't see any super league club being able to afford him. Bunnies obviously want him, Russell Crowe is in the US which could slow things down.
I just hope he is fit and available for England RL for the next two big tournaments.