'Get him in' Crowe calls for England fast-track for former Bulls star Burgess

Crowe persuaded Burgess to leave Bradford Bulls for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2009, a club the New Zealand-born star has supported since a child and now co-owns.

Burgess' move met ascripted ending last October when the rugby league club won their first Premiership for 43 years.

Since switching codes, Burgess has been unable to impose himself in the same way for Bath and endured a disappointing evening against the Irish Wolfhounds on his debut for England's second string Saxons four weeks ago.

A brief spell training with Stuart Lancaster's RBS 6 Nations squad has been the 26-year-old's only senior involvement, but Crowe believes it is only a matter of time before he makes his presence felt.

Burgess' place in South Sydney folklore is secure after playing through the pain barrier to help defeat the Canterbury Bulldogs in last year's NRL final.

Just six seconds into the game he shattered his eye socket during an injury that later needed five metal plates to repair the damage to his cheekbone, yet he still finished as man of the match.

Crowe insists that if Burgess' union career does not work out, he is welcome back at the Rabbitohs.

"Sam is a son of South Sydney. He's a South Sydney warrior. There is absolutely no way to remove our club from his heart, or him from our hearts," Crowe said.

Crowe and Burgess will attend Sunday night's World Club Challenge when South Sydney face Super League champions St Helens at Langtree Park.

Sam's younger brothers and fellow former Bulls stars Tom and George could feature in the game.