Tom Burgess says brother Sam does not regret cross-code switch

Sam Burgess has no regrets over his decision to switch codes, according to his younger brother Tom. 

The dual-code international has faced a barrage of criticism following his up-and-down performances having been fast-tracked into the England squad for the Rugby Union World Cup, just 12 months after moving from South Sydney, and speculation has grown that he could soon cut short his stay in the 15-man code. 

However, Tom who remains at South Sydney, and has flown over from Australia to link up with England Rugby League ahead of their autumn internationals, says his brother has been unaffected by the criticism as he prepares to resume his club career with Bath.

"The tournament has been massive and there's been a lot of pressure around that," said Tom, who caught up with his brother in Manchester before England's final World Cup pool match against Uruguay on Saturday. 

"I think he's handled himself very well, to get in there in the first year of rugby union is pretty outstanding to be honest. I'm proud of him. 

" The experiences that he's had this last year have been awesome for him. I don't think he'd change that now. For him to play in a World Cup as a dual international, I don't think he'd regret that."

All four siblings, three of whom are still playing in Australia’s NRL - oldest brother Luke, twin George and Tom - are known to be close but Tom insists he was not hurt by the stinging denunciations of Sam in the press. 

"At the end of the day, it's their jobs to report about it," he said. "Everyone's got their opinions and takes on things. 

"I don't get annoyed with it, it's just a talking point. I don't think it's personal. They've got to make a story and it's fair enough. It's what sells papers, isn't it?

"He knows how to handle it now. He's pretty well drilled with the media and he's got pretty thick skin."

Despite having two years remaining on his contract with Bath, Burgess has been linked with both a return to the Rabbitohs and a move to newly-crowned Super League champions Leeds Rhinos and Tom admits speculation is rife back in Sydney.

"I get asked about a hundred times a day in Australia, especially from South Sydney fans," he said. "It is a bit of a talk of the town at the moment about whether Sam's going to come back to league or not but at the moment it's just speculation.

"It's what everyone wants in league but a t the end of the day it's his decision and he'll make the decision based on how he's feeling. He's signed up for two more years at Bath so that's it." 

Meanwhile, Tom insists he has no plans to follow his brother and switch codes as he gears up for England's one-off international against France in Leigh on Saturday week. 

Tom, who has been training on his own in Australia since Souths were knocked out of the play-offs, admits it is strange being the only Burgess brother in the England camp.

"It is a bit funny," he said. "I've always had either Sam or George here but it's good in a way.

"I'm never going to get called George and it's an opportunity to try and be a bit more of a leader in this squad. I've been involved for two or three years now and hopefully I can step up a bit more."