Thursday 5 November 2015 22:15, UK
Rugby stars past and present have reacted with shock to the news that Sam Burgess is set to leave union and return to the 13-man code.
News broke on Thursday that Burgess is cutting short his stay with Bath and returning to play in Australia with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
And the reaction was of general disappointment that Burgess did not make it to the top of the union ranks as he had in his previous spell in league with the Rabbitohs, where he was named International Player of the Year in 2014.
Here is the reaction of some of rugby's biggest names on Twitter, before the news was confirmed, some of it possibly making unpleasant reading for England's union chiefs.
"If true then so sorry 2 c @SamBurgess8 go. Nothing but respect 4 you mate and what you do. Will be following your journey- inspired as ever" - England World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson (@jonnywilkinson).
"So @SamBurgess8 has left Rugby Union. A sad end to a chapter that the England coaches handled so badly" - Former England captain Will Carling (@willcarling).
"Is Sam Burgess available for Saturday lol" - Former Wigan, Great Britain and England international winger Martin Offiah (@martinoffiah) talking of England's next league Test against New Zealand.
"If it's true about @SamBurgess8 then it's a sad day for the rugby world and a great one for @SSFCRABBITOHS" - New Zealand dual code international Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams).
"Am I hearing @SamBurgess8 has left Bath? If so rugby union has let the lad down.." - Former England centre and Sky pundit Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood).
"If @SamBurgess8 has gone back to league then it's fair to say @EnglandRugby should hold their hand up. What a waste, what a mess" - London Welsh and former England fly-half Olly Barkley (@ollybarkley).
"The Burgess story is a lesson in one thing - world cups are not the place to try out untested talent. RU fans did not want him to fail; too many wanted him to succeed too early & poor selection. Good luck to a great player." - Former England hooker Brian Moore (@brianmoore666).
"All the Best mate, you are going back to your strength and where you are respected @SamBurgess8" - Former dual code Welsh Rugby international & British Lion John Devereux (@DevereuxJohn13).
"Sam Burgess gone with immediate effect... Could've been a top player with TIME - just needed TIME!" - Former Harlequins, England & British & Irish Lions player Ugo Monye (@ugomonye).
"Shame to see @SamBurgess8 leave Union. Had the potential to be a great player. #whathappened" - Harlequins scrum-half Karl Dickson (@kdickson9).
And rugby league fan Joey Barton (@joey7barton) wrote: "Can't blame @SamBurgess8 poorly treated, hung out to dry. Union's loss is League's gain. Good luck."
