FORMER England captain and Bradford forward Sam Burgess has been fined £16,500 by Australia's National Rugby League for breaching multiple rules during his time as a South Sydney player and coach.

Burgess, who retired at the end of 2019 due to a chronic shoulder problem, also received a suspension from any official club duty for 12 weeks.

Burgess, who played for Bulls between 2006 and 2009, stepped back from club duties in October 2020, so he will be allowed to count his stand down as time served and will therefore be entitled to resume his duties should he so desire.

An NRL statement on Friday said the 33-year-old had "breached its code of conduct by taking illicit drugs in 2018, threatening another rugby league player in 2018 and breaching NSW law in February 2021 by driving a motor vehicle with traces of an illicit drug in his system".

In an Instagram post, Liversedge-born Burgess described his punishment as "grossly unfair" but indicated he would not appeal out of a desire to "move on with my life".

England coach Shaun Wane has said he wants to get Burgess involved in his team's preparations for the end-of-season World Cup.

The Rabbitohs were fined £11,000, which they have accepted, for failing to promptly advise the NRL Integrity Unit of an allegation made against Burgess.