Sam Burgess latest: Steve McNamara unsure if cross-code star has decided on league return

England rugby league coach Steve McNamara insists he is in the dark over Sam Burgess' future.

Burgess, the former star of McNamara's team, has faced a barrage of criticism following his involvement in the Rugby Union World Cup, just 12 months after crossing codes.

He is reportedly now planning to end his spell in union and is already understood to have held talks with a leading figure within the English RFL.

But McNamara, who caught up with Burgess during England's autumn international with France in October, says the 26-year-old is yet to inform him of his future plans.

When asked whether he expects the Bath star to switch back to rugby league, McNamara said: "He has not indicated that to myself.

"He is enjoying a bit of time away from it. He came to the France game with his fiancée and it was great to see him relaxing and smiling.

"Sam is a very strong character. It is not nice in terms of the criticism he has received but to come from rugby league having never played a game in union to play in a World Cup with England in 12 months is a huge achievement.

"Somebody always seems to carry the blame and they tried to point the finger at Sam on this occasion."