'Slammin' Sam Burgess is returning to the UK

Former England centre Sam Burgess is set to make a return to the UK as he takes on the role of head coach for the Warrington Wolves in the upcoming 2024 Super League season.

Burgess has inked a two-year contract, marking a significant step forward in his post-playing career as a coach.

Having retired with injury in 2019, Burgess has been steadily transitioning into the coaching sphere with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, where he serves as an assistant coach for the National Rugby League (NRL) team.

Burgess boasts an impressive legacy in the rugby world, having captained England and Great Britain on 26 occasions during his playing tenure. Notably, he steered the Rabbitohs to victory in the 2014 NRL championship, a feat all the more remarkable due to his playing through injury.

While his league career was glittering, his time in rugby union was something of a flop for the former centre cum back row. Burgess made a high-profile switch from rugby league to union in 2014, joining Bath and later playing for England in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. His transition was met with mixed success and he faced a lot of criticism, as did then-England head coach Stuart Lancaster for selecting him. He returned to rugby league in 2016, ending his union career after just a year.

The Warrington Wolves’ decision to appoint Burgess comes as part of a broader review of their rugby department. Alongside this appointment, Gary Chambers will ascend to the position of director of rugby, encompassing oversight from the first team downward.

Chambers will oversee the transition as interim coach for the remainder of the ongoing 2023 season before officially assuming his new role. Richard Marshall will continue as assistant coach, with additional coaching appointments expected in due course.

“I’m pleased to confirm I will take on the role of Head Coach at the Warrington Wolves for seasons 24/25,” said Burgess. “From playing in the Super League to having the opportunity to lead an incredible club, it’s a full circle moment and one I am fully committed to and excited by.

“I want to thank Simon [Moran], Stuart [Middleton] and Karl [Fitzpatrick] at the Wolves for their courage and collaboration, as I look forward to returning to England to coach this great club.

“To Russell [Crowe], Blake [Solly], JD [Demetriou] and the stakeholders at South Sydney, thank you for supporting me in taking on this new position. We still have an opportunity to play some great football for the remainder of the year and to do so alongside our current staff and squad, is my focus.”