Sam Burgess has revealed that the reason he left Bath to rejoin the NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs was that he lacked the appetite for rugby union.

The 26-year-old made the decision to switch codes back to rugby league after England's dismal display in the Rugby World Cup, just 12 months after opting to join Union side Bath on a three-year contract.

However, Burgess has admitted that his heart was not fully committed to his role with Mike Ford's men as he was released to rejoin the Rabbitohs, where his three brothers ply their trade.

He wrote in the Daily Mail: "It was tough going in to see Mike to ask to be released from my contract. I know I have disappointed some of the players and fans at Bath. I completely understand why they would feel that way. I am sorry for the fact that I've left a hole in that team.

"But the way I explained it was that my heart just isn't in it, and if my heart's not in it then they won't get the best performances from me. Either way, I'm doing the wrong thing, so I thought I would be a man about it, go in, be honest with them and see if we could sort something out that worked for both parties. They were disappointed but we came to an arrangement that represented fairness.

"We didn't actually plan for it to happen as quickly as it did. We were looking towards Christmas as the time for me to leave, but then the transfer fee got paid and after that it was out of my hands. I trained on Tuesday, expecting to play the following weekend, but then everything got sorted overnight and my services were no longer required."

Burgess played 21 games for Bath in his year at the club.