George Burgess named in St George Illawarra Dragons side despite reported police charge over ‘incident’

George Burgess has been included in the St George Illawarra Dragons squad for this weekend’s clash with Cronulla Sharks.

That’s despite the hulking prop forward being the centre of a police investigation over a ‘sexual touching’ incident.

“Earlier this month officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command commenced an investigation into reports a woman was sexually touched by a man known to her on Tuesday 8th March,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Those inquiries are continuing.”

Burgess, 29, had only just made his return to the NRL at the Dragons after 18 months out of the game following devastating hip surgery.

He is the only rugby league player to ever make it back from such surgery and starred for the Dragons at the weekend in their narrow loss to champions Penrith Panthers.

But, Burgess has been named in the Dragons’ squad for this weekend.

“St George Illawarra will name George Burgess in the Dragons’ 24-man squad,” a statement said.

“The Dragons are yet to receive the necessary and required information pertaining to the Burgess matter and therefore cannot come to a decision on the player’s availability for Round 3.

“The NRL’s stringent team selection process requires the Dragons to select a 24-man squad on Tuesday afternoon.

“The Dragons will continue to work closely with all relevant parties, including the NRL integrity unit and police, to determine the next steps surrounding this matter.”