Rugby league-Burgess cleared of serious injury after Sydney collision

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, March 21 (Reuters) - Dual code England international Sam Burgess has been cleared of seriously damaging his neck or spine in a tackle during a National Rugby League match on Sunday and is expected to be released from hospital in the coming days. A rain-soaked Sydney Cricket Ground fell silent when the South Sydney Rabbitohs forward charged head-first into a line of defenders only to slump to the ground shouting in pain in the 52nd minute of Sunday's loss to the St George Dragons. The 27-year-old, who returned to the field for the Rabbitohs earlier this month after an unsuccessful 18-month stint in English rugby union, had his neck immobilised on the pitch by medical staff. With his mother Julie distraught in the stands and his brothers and team mates Tom and George watching on anxiously, Burgess was taken from the field on a motorised stretcher and admitted to the nearby St Vincent's Hospital. "Sam Burgess has been cleared of serious neck and spinal injuries following scans conducted last night," his team said in a statement on Monday. "MRI and CT scans have shown no damage to the vertebrae or spinal cord. Burgess will continue to be monitored for any muscle injury around the neck and spine region, as well as any neurological issues arising from the incident in yesterday's game." The Rabbitohs, co-owned by Oscar winning actor Russell Crowe, have gambled heavily on Burgess's return, moving on stalwarts Dylan Walker and Chris McQueen to get his lucrative three-year deal in under the salary cap. Immediately before his switch to the 15-man game in 2014, the Yorkshireman was Man of the Match in a "Grand Final" victory that gave the Rabbitohs their first championship in 43 years. Souths finished seventh in the NRL last year and made a first-round exit in the playoffs but with Burgess back in the fold had started the new season with convincing victories over the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights. "We're all very happy to know that Sam hasn't suffered any serious injuries from yesterday's game," Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said in the statement. "I spoke to Sam and he feels very lucky and he wants to thank the medical staff from both the Rabbitohs and Dragons for their professionalism ... "We will continue to monitor Sam's welfare and he knows he is in the best of hands with our medical staff as we move forward." (Editing by Peter Rutherford)