Burgess will switch to union with Premiership team Bath after agreeing a deal to be released by NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs earlier this year.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a fitting finale in the 13-man format by putting in a man-of-the-match performance for the Rabbitohs as they defeated the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30-6 in the NRL Grand Final last weekend, despite breaking his cheekbone in the early stages.
England coach Steve McNamara and NRL chief executive Dave Smith have both expressed a desire for Burgess to return to league in the future.
However, Sculthorpe - who scored over 100 tries in a glittering 11-year spell with Saints - does not foresee Burgess returning due to the financial benefits of playing union.
"I couldn't see it [Burgess returning to league]. If he makes it in rugby union and makes it well I don't think there's the money there to tempt him back, certainly not in Super League," Sculthorpe told Sportal.
"Obviously he's a fantastic player and he's had a great few years in the NRL. It's a massive loss for English rugby league, but there's nothing you can do about that.
"It's a great credit to rugby league that rugby union want to sign our players, we're obviously doing things right. It's up to the people running our game to get more financial reward in the game to try and keep these players."
In the absence of Burgess, who has 15 England caps, Sculthorpe believes Warrington Wolves' Chris Hill is capable of making an impact on the international stage.
"There's a number of players [who can step up]," he continued. "You look at the likes of Chris Hill, he's had another year of Super League experience and will be ready come the international season."