Bath Rugby are poised to announce the signing of rugby league superstar Sam Burgess on Monday morning.
Burgess’ club, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, have reportedly been offered a $1million transfer fee by Bath to release the Yorkshireman, 25, from his contract – which has three years to run – with the RFU eager to involve him in England’s plans for the 2015 World Cup.
English clubs had previously opposed the RFU’s plans to fund the £500,000 deal with the Rabbitohs, whose co-owner is Hollywood star Russell Crowe.
In an article published by The Times yesterday, Bath owner Bruce Craig said: ”Bath were contacted by the RFU and we were informed that a number of premiership clubs were also contacted and told that the RFU were interested in bringing Sam Burgess into rugby union.
”Those clubs were contacted and told of the opportunity: that Sam would be put on the market because the RFU would be paying the transfer fee. That is the truth.
“What we were told was they [the Rabbitohs] would release Sam from his contract and there would be an open market among the English clubs to bring Sam into the English game.”
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Burgess’ Bath deal will run for three years and will begin once the current NRL season ends.
One of Burgess’ heroes, England union coach Andy Farrell, is believed to have approached him with regard to the cross-code switch during last year’s Rugby League World Cup.
Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-league-five-championship-141509579--spt.html
Bath Rugby set to announce signing of Sam Burgess in $1million deal with ...
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