St George Illawarra prop George Burgess is being investigated by police over an incident of alleged sexual touching just weeks before his NRL return.
NSW Police informed the NRL on Monday they were investigating the premiership-winning forward, after receiving a complaint from a woman.
The NRL then passed that information onto the Dragons, who were caught off-guard by the news with Burgess having just spoken to media in a pre-scheduled interview in Wollongong.
Burgess is now due to speak with police over the matter, which is alleged to have happened just two days out from the start of the NRL season.
"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."
The Dragons have also confirmed they are working with the integrity unit over a matter involving one of their players.
"The St George Illawarra Dragons have been made aware of a matter involving one of its players by the NRL integrity unit," the Dragons said in a statement.
"The Dragons are working closely with all parties as the matter is under police investigation."
Burgess, 29, had only just made his return to the NRL at the Dragons after 18 months out of the game.
After eight seasons at South Sydney alongside his brothers Sam, Tom and Luke, Burgess left to for the English Super League on a three-year deal at the start of 2020.
But the England international returned to Australia after eight matches, struck down by a hip injury which required surgery.
He was then signed by the Dragons on a two-year deal to start this year, making his return off the bench in last Friday night's loss to Penrith.
