SAM Burgess looks increasingly likely to make a swift return to South Sydney Rabbitohs as he prepares to marry his Australian girlfriend later this year.

The Telegraph & Argus can exclusively reveal that the former Bulls star is to tie the knot with Phoebe Hooke in Australia in late December as he prepares to head back to Souths.

Burgess is understood to have grown disillusioned with rugby union after being made the scapegoat for England’s disastrous World Cup campaign.

The 26-year-old has been used in the pack by Bath and at centre by national team boss Stuart Lancaster, ensuring an unhappy spell since arriving from Souths 12 months ago.

He has now been given a fortnight off by Bath to assess his options but the Aviva Premiership outfit will demand to recoup the fee they paid for Burgess if they are to release him from the remainder of his contract, which has almost two years to run.

Burgess has the pick of the NRL clubs but looks certain to be reunited with brothers Thomas and George at Souths, who have first option on him.

However, sources close to Burgess have indicated that are “a number of hurdles” to be overcome before any deal is completed.

The twins also joined the Rabbitohs from Bradford and, in an in-depth interview feature with Thomas in today’s T&A, he talks of the closeness in the family.

Sam’s move to Bath a year ago means he is the only member of the Burgess clan no longer living in Sydney, but a return to Souths would see the family reunited.

Sam and his fiancee sat with England boss Steve McNamara during last weekend’s warm-up win over France at the Leigh Sports Village, fuelling speculation the former Odsal star could be heading back to rugby league.