$1 million Bunny: Burgess brother in rugby sights

Souths giant George Burgess is in the sights of English rugby powerhouse Gloucester with reports the club is set to launch a $1 million bid to snare the 120kg prop.

Fresh from watching rivals Bath prise away Sam Burgess from the NRL premiers, Gloucester owner Ryan Walkinshaw has made brother George his number one target, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph.

Multi-millionaire Walkinshaw is also the owner of the Holden Special Vehicle’s and Holden Racing Team empire and is currently in Australia touring with the V8 Supercars circuit.

Burgess, 22, is contracted to the Rabbitohs until the end of 2016 and will play in England's opening match of the Four Nations against Samoa in Brisbane on Saturday night.

To secure the powerhouse frontrower, Gloucester would likely have to offer Souths a pay-out fee similar to the $1 million deal Bath cut with the club to allow Sam's release a year early from his contract.

It is understood the rugby giants see George Burgess as a backrow option.

The potential move would be a major blow to the Rabbitohs on the back of Sam's departure.

The brothers starred in the Rabbitohs' drought-breaking grand final victory over Canterbury with Sam claiming the Clive Churchill medal for the best and fairest player, while George scored a barnstorming try to turn momentum as the Bulldogs clawed back into the game.

Wide World of Sports was waiting for a reply from South officials over the report.