Burgess makes winning return to NRL

Sam Burgess celebrated his return to rugby league with a try and aman-of-the-match performance in South Sydney's 22-20 win over Gold Coast Titans in a pre-season friendly on Australia's Gold Coast.

The former Bradford forward has rejoined the Rabbitohs after an abortive spell in rugby union with Bath and England and it was if he had never been away.

The Sydney club's 2014 grand final Premiership hero capped an impressive return with a 55th-minute solo try, although he was quick to play down hiscontribution.

Burgess married his Australian girlfriend, Phoebe Hooke, in December Credit: Press Association

"I just sat and listened to the press conference with (captain) Greg (Inglis)and Madge (coach Michael Maguire)," Burgess told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Every second question was about me.

Burgess left Souths after the 2014 grand final and 12 months later was playing for England in the rugby union World Cup.

He was, however, heavily criticised over his fast-tracking into the nationalside and quit in November with two years left on his contract with Premiership club Bath, citing family reasons for his hasty retreat.

Burgess bore much of the criticism for England's dismal World Cup campaign Credit: Press Association

Souths are thought to have paid more than £500,000 to secure his release and in December he married his Australian girlfriend Phoebe Hooke.

Burgess was forced to pull out of the NRL All Stars season pipe-opener lastweekend due to a lack of fitness but his club captain hailed his impact onSaturday.

"We've always had that belief but with Sam in the side, his presence and hisleadership, you can really feel it," Inglis said.