'Satan's work': Exiled star Israel Folau rules out rugby return as 'God's will comes first'

Israel Folau, who had his playing contract terminated by Rugby Australia after a controversial social media post in which he said 'hell awaits' gay people, has ruled out a return to the game because it would be "Satan's work."

Folau says that he could make his current situation "a little bit easier" and return to playing but has ruled out any comeback in the near future, saying that he must resist any temptations "which look good to the eye."

The 30-year-old, who is considered to be one of the most potent attacking threats in world rugby, found himself at the center of a storm last month after posting to Instagram that "hell awaits" a list of sinners, including homosexuals.

Folau's four-year contract with Rugby Australia was subsequently revoked, ending his club and international career in his home country and ending his hopes of participating in this year's World Cup in Japan.

The player, who is a fundamentalist Christian, has remained steadfast in the wake of the controversial social media post and doubled down on those comments while speaking to a church congregation in Sydney on Sunday.

"There have been many opportunities to potentially make the situation a little bit easier," Folau said. "I could go back and play the game, get everything back to the way it used to be.

"The way Satan works is he offers you stuff that could look good to the eye and makes you feel comfortable, and if you go down that path all the worries and troubles will go away. It is always the will of God that comes first."

It was announced last week that the 73-times-capped Folau had lost a lucrative sponsorship deal with Asics - the second brand to drop the player after Land Rover took similar steps prior to that.

Folau will find out if he faces further sanction for his comments when the results of a three-man disciplinary panel are revealed.