Sam Burgess move back to South Sydney Rabbitohs stalls

Sam Burgess's return to rugby league and the South Sydney Rabbitohs has stalled because it would take the club over the salary cap with the NRL reportedly refusing to register the player's lucrative contract with his former club.

Despite agreeing a deal with the Rabbitohs, reportedly worth $1.5 million (£700,000) a season, Burgess has been left in a state of limbo having earlier this month called time on his rugby union career, after a year at Bath and following England's disastrous World Cup campaign.

Already the Rabbitohs have offloaded Dylan Walker, Isaac Luke and Glen Stewart to make room for the 26-year-old's wages but the NRL has reportedly informed the club, owned by the Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, that more players will have to go before Burgess can be registered.

Chris McQueen, contracted to the Rabbitohs until the end of the coming season but currently being offered to other clubs to pave the way for Burgess, was overlooked by the Penrith Panthers on Friday.

Burgess’s return to the Rabittohs was met with great fanfare when he was unveiled – he retains legendary status having helped the club to win their first NRL Grand Final in 43 years in 2014, collecting the man of the match award despite fracturing his cheekbone early in the match.