Sam Burgess reportedly splits up with wife Phoebe

South Sydney Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess and his wife Phoebe have split up shortly after the birth of their second child.

NRL icon Sam Burgess has split up with wife Phoebe less than a month after the pair welcomed their second child into the world, according to a report.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs star and his partner were married three years ago but according to The Daily Telegraph have told family and close friends their relationship is over.

The Telegraph reports the high profile star and his wife agreed to end their marriage last month.

Daughter Poppy is nearly two years old and earlier this month the couple celebrated the arrival of a son named William.

Burgess was photographed yesterday carrying three packed bags out of the house he and Phoebe share in Maroubra in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. He was reportedly not wearing his wedding ring.

Phoebe’s mother arrived at the house later that night and today her sister and her husband were also spotted at the Maroubra residence.

Burgess and Phoebe met at a music concert in January 2014 and married in December 2015 at her parents’ home in Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Burgess, an England international, was embroiled in controversy this year when he was caught in the middle of a sexting scandal as he revealed his private heartbreak over Phoebe’s reaction to the dramatic episode.

The footy star was cleared of any wrongdoing after the club investigated claims a woman was exposed to lewd images of players on social media. In emails to the club, the 23-year-old woman claimed she felt violated in a social media interaction with Rabbitohs players, who she claimed exposed themselves to her in a video chat.

Speaking about the allegations for the first time in September, Burgess said the media attention had taken a toll on his family.

“I’m not angry. What hurts me the most is seeing my wife upset about what’s out there,” he told reporters.

“I’m completely happy to be going through the process. I’ve been open and honest with everything. Hopefully, it’s resolved quickly.

“I just want to protect my family in this whole thing.

“I’ve got a wife. I’ve got a daughter. My wife’s heavily pregnant. I just want them to be safe and happy. In my current situation at home there’s just no chance of that.”

Burgess also paid tribute to his wife Phoebe at the time.

“With respect to my wife, my family, my wife’s family, it’s been a tough process to go through, the family together,” he said.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve got a strong wife. I’ve got a wife who loves me. I’ve got great family. I’ve got great friends. Great support around me to help me through these allegations that have been made. It’s been a tricky few days.”