The brother of troubled former England rugby star Sam Burgess is set to appear in front of an Australian court after being charged with malicious damage.
George Burgess is set to appear at Wollongong Local Court in New South Wales on October 19.
It comes after a road rage incident in which Burgess, 29, is alleged to have grabbed and thrown the mobile phone of a 32-year-old man following a verbal altercation at the roadside.
Earlier this month the rugby league prop signed with St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2022 season, following his release from Super League side Wigan Warriors.
In a statement, the club said: "St George Illawarra are aware of an alleged road incident involving 2022 recruit George Burgess.
"The NRL integrity unit have been informed, Mirror reports.
"As the police are currently investigating the matter, the Dragons will be making no further comment at this stage."
Ben Haran, the Dragons' general manager of football, said earlier this month their new recruit will "make a significant contribution to us here at the Dragons on and off the field" over the course of his two-year deal.
He added: "His experience and career achievements will only have a positive influence on the development of the younger players currently within our squad."
Burgess made 150 appearances for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a seven-year spell up to 2019, before moving back home to England for a spell in the Super League with Wigan.
However, he managed only eight appearances for the Warriors in 2020 before he suffered a season-ending hip injury.
Local police in Wollongong confirmed Burgess has been charged in relation to the road rage incident, which happened on Monday, August 23.
A statement said: "[On Wednesday] legal representation for a 29-year-old man was served with a court attendance notice for malicious damage.
"The man is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, October 19.
"The charges relate to an incident at Denison Street, Wollongong, on August 23."
The Dragons have lost their last six games in the National Rugby League, and sit 12th in the table with just 18 points from 22 games so far.