Sam Burgess charged with domestic violence-related offence

On the day Sam Burgess announced his injury-enforced retirement it has been revealed the Rabbitohs great has been charged with a domestic violence-related intimidation offence after a reported dispute with his father-in-law.

NSW Police confirmed the 30-year-old had been charged on Wednesday with the offence, almost two weeks after officers were called to an address at Glenquarry, east of Bowral, in relation to a domestic dispute.

No one was injured in the incident.

The former South Sydney captain, who announced his retirement earlier on Wednesday, reportedly recently split with his wife of almost four years Phoebe, whose family is believed to have a property in Bowral.

An AVO application involving Burgess, which had been due to come before court in November, was listed as being made on behalf of Burgess' father-in-law Mitchell Hooke, 63.

"It's alleged the man intimidated the older man during the incident," NSW Police said in a statement on Wednesday.

Burgess is due to appear at Moss Vale Local Court on December 18.

Burgess retires in heartbreaking fashion

The 30-year-old England Test star has battled shoulder injuries throughout his career, culminating in an infection after another surgery this season.

Burgess’ imminent exit with three years left to run on his multi-million dollar deal presents questions about the effect on South Sydney's salary cap, given his retirement is based on medical grounds.

In a heartfelt letter to fans just hours before the charge was revealed, the England and Great Britain international announced his retirement, having failed to recover from a chronic shoulder injury that forced him to miss the current Lions tour of New Zealand.

"This decision was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make in my life," he said.

"My time has come to an end. I'm excited for my next chapter in life whatever that may be."

With AAP