England rugby league

Sam Burgess: Ex-Rugby League star guilty of intimidation in Australia

A Sydney court on Friday ruled Burgess had intimidated Mitchell Hooke, his ex-wife's father, with the intention of causing physical or mental harm.

Burgess pleaded not guilty to the charge last year, relating to an incident at Mr Hooke's home in 2019.

He was given a conviction and placed on a two-year good behaviour bond.

The court heard competing accounts over the incident, which came as Burgess visited his children after separating from his ex-wife, Phoebe Burgess.

A row escalated after Mr Hooke asked Burgess to leave, the trial was told.

England lose captain for second rugby league test

The Wigan loose forward has failed to recover from the recurrence of his old calf injury he sustained in the early stages of the first Test in Hull on November 21.

England playmaker Sam Tomkins insists his side will cope with the absence of their talismanic captain.

England will announce a replacement captain on Thursday, which is almost certain to be either St George Illawarra's James Graham or Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson.