Sam Burgess heading back to the NRL?

Sam Burgess could be back in the NRL next season. Photo / Getty

Sam Burgess could be on his way back to the National Rugby League and the South Sydney Rabbitohs after a disappointing first season in rugby union, including a World Cup failure with England.

The star footballer has had a forgettable 2015 in the other code and has been linked to a return to rugby league several times.

Australia's Nine News is reporting that Burgess, 26, is showing keen interest in returning to Australia.

Fuelling the speculation was Burgess spotted sitting next to England rugby league coach Steve McNamara in the side's 84-4 annihilation of France at the weekend.

Curiously, McNamara is assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters, the arch rivals of the Rabbitohs in the NRL.

There are several problems to overcome before Burgess could return to the club where he won a premiership in 2014.

His three-year deal with Bath still has two years to run and the club is believed to have paid the Rabbitohs almost $1m to buy out his contract.

Burgess' younger twin brothers George and Tom are still part of the South Sydney set-up and are currently on international duty.

Sam Burgess had originally signed for Souths from English Super League franchise Bradford in 2010.

Also standing in the way of a possible return to Redfern are Leeds - the Super League club has made it clear they would be willing to make the dual international a substantial offer.

- Daily Mail