Burgess exit sad for rugby: SBW

Sonny Bill Williams has lamented Sam Burgess' decision to return to the NRL as a sad loss for rugby union.

However the Sydney Roosters premiership winner and two-time Rugby World Cup champion believes the move is a huge boost to South Sydney's title hopes.

Burgess will return to the NRL and Souths next season after signing a contract with the club for the next three seasons, ending his brief, controversial flirtation with the 15-a-side code.

The 26-year-old Burgess has attempted to follow All Black Williams' lead in successfully transitioning to rugby, but fell short of expectations.

"If it's true about @SamBurgess8 then it's a sad day for the rugby world and a great one for @SSFCRABBITOHS", Williams wrote on Twitter.

Burgess was a part of England's ill-fated Rugby World Cup campaign that ended in the pool rounds.

He will be warmly welcomed back to Redfern after Souths' struggles in the NRL this year.

Burgess last played for the club in their 2014 grand final win, when he was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for the player of the match.