It’s good to be back – with that Sam Burgess summed up his return to the NRL after a season away.

After all the hype of the dual international’s comeback from rugby union, the Englishman put in more of a workmanlike effort in South Sydney’s 42-10 defeat of Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

Adam Reynolds and Greg Inglis starred for the Rabbitohs while Burgess played his part up front in the Souths’ dominance early which set up a 26-0 lead after 27 minutes.

In all, he made 17 runs for 188m and 23 tackles at prop.

“It is good to be back, the boys were pretty clinical … it is good to be part of a team win,” said Burgess, who last played in Souths’ grand final win in 2014.

“Some of the players here are different, but not a lot has changed.”

Before his return Burgess said one of the main things he missed about the NRL was the fatigue factor, which has been increased due to the reduction in interchanges from 10 to eight.

“With the interchange changes in the last 20 minutes guys are pretty flat out,” he said.

“Apart from that it is just a physical and fast game, you have to be full of energy.

“I have to work on the lungs (but) that will come, there is nothing like game fitness.”