Freddie Burns

{{infobox rugby biography

| name = Freddie Burns

| image = Freddie Burns 2011 (cropped).JPG

| image_size =

| caption = Burns representing Gloucester during the 2011–12 Heineken Cup

| alt =

| birth_name = Freddie Spencer Burns

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|05|13|df=y}}

| birth_place = Bath, England

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|90|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}{{cite news|url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/squad.php?player=73539&includeref=dynamic|title=Gloucester Profile|access-date=7 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913070947/http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/squad.php?player=73539&includeref=dynamic|archive-date=13 September 2011|url-status=dead}}

| school = Beechen Cliff School

| relatives = Billy Burns (brother)

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Oldfield Old Boys R.F.C.

| currentclub =

| position = Fly-half, Fullback

| years1 = 2008–2009

| clubs1 = Cinderford

| apps1 = 16

| points1 = 67

| years2 = 2008–2014

| clubs2 = Gloucester

| apps2 = 131

| points2 = 1,216

| years3 = 2014–2017

| clubs3 = Leicester Tigers

| apps3 = 76

| points3 = 598

| years4 = 2017–2020

| clubs4 = Bath

| apps4 = 66

| points4 = 356

| years5 = 2020–2021

| clubs5 = Shoki Shuttles

| apps5 = 7

| points5 = 133

| years6 = 2021–2023

| clubs6 = Leicester Tigers

| apps6 = 39

| points6 = 194

| years7 = 2023

| clubs7 = Highlanders

| apps7 = 9

| points7 = 18

| years8 = 2023–2025

| clubs8 = Shoki Shuttles

| apps8 = 26

| points8 = 298

| totalyears = 2008–

| totalapps = 344

| totalpoints = 2,582

| clubupdate = 12 March 2023

| repyears1 = 2009–2010

| repteam1 = England U20

| repcaps1 = 21

| reppoints1 = 211

| repyears2 = 2010–2012

| repteam2 = England Saxons

| repcaps2 = 11

| reppoints2 = 125

| repyears3 = 2012–2014

| repteam3 = England

| repcaps3 = 5

| reppoints3 = 57

| repupdate = 12 March 2023

}}

Freddie Spencer Burns (born 13 May 1990) is an English professional rugby union player who plays fly-half for Super Rugby side {{rut|Highlanders}}. Burns played over 100 times for Gloucester between 2007 and 2014, and over 100 times for Leicester Tigers across two spells, he also represented Bath in Premiership Rugby. He has also played for Toyota Industries Shuttles in Japan. Burns played five times for {{nrut|England}} between 2012 and 2014, including beating the All Blacks in 2012. In June 2022, he kicked the winning drop goal in the final minute of the Premiership final for Leicester against Saracens.

Burns joined the {{rut|Highlanders}} (New Zealand) in Super Rugby from February 2023.

Club career

=Gloucester=

On 6 June 2008, Burns was announced as part of the intake to Gloucester Rugby's academy, joining from Bath Rugby's academy.{{cite news |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/3775.php |title=Academy stars sign up |date=2008-06-06 |publisher=Gloucester Rugby |access-date=14 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324105700/http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/3775.php |archive-date=24 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}

On 30 June 2009, Gloucester Rugby announced that Burns was one of a number of academy players to sign senior contracts.{{cite news |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/5101.php |title=Academy crop graduate to senior squad |date=2009-06-30 |publisher=Gloucester Rugby |access-date=14 March 2011}}

In January 2010, he re-signed with Gloucester, committing himself until the end of the 2011/12 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/5101.php |title=Trio of young guns commit to Gloucester Rugby |date=2010-01-18 |publisher=Gloucester Rugby |access-date=14 March 2011}}

His contract was renewed in the Spring of 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/matchcentre/squads_gloucester_first_xv.php?player=73539&includeref=dynamic |publisher=Gloucester Rugby Club |title=Freddie Burns

|access-date=11 December 2012}}

Burns came in for Gloucester in the game against Biarritz Olympique and got a conversion.{{cite web |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/5463.php |title=Gloucester Rugby Club : Gloucester unable to contain Ngwenya as Biarritz win |access-date=2010-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305131733/http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/5463.php |archive-date=5 March 2010}} In the next game he made his first start at fullback at Kingsholm against Australia. In this game he scored a try. In the following match he was once again selected at fullback and he scored two penalties against the Cardiff Blues.Official matchday programme Gloucester vs Saracens 3/4/10 However, next game Olly Morgan replaced Burns at fullback and Burns made a start at fly-half. Burns then scored all of his club's points with two converted tries.{{cite web |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/5536.php |title=Gloucester Rugby Club : Simpson inspires Wasps' comeback at Adams Park |access-date=2010-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313074829/http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/5536.php |archive-date=13 March 2010}} Burns has since played many games at fly-half and fullback, including an April 2010 performance against Saracens. In this game he was named the man of the match as a reward for his outstanding kicking from hand, goal kicking and composure under the high ball.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} The highlight of this match was when Burns chipped over a rushing Saracen defence allowing Charlie Sharples to score a vital try in the corner.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/8599210.stm |work=BBC News |title=Gloucester 29-28 Saracens |date=2010-04-03}}

=Leicester=

Burns joined Leicester Tigers at the end of the 2013–14 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/31796.php#.U4RxPfldV8E|publisher=Premiership Rugby|title=Leicester Tigers sign Gloucester and England fly-half Freddie Burns|date=22 May 2014}}

=Bath=

On 14 February 2017, Burns signed for hometown club Bath ahead of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/freddie-burns-joins-bath-rugby-for-201718-season/|work=Premiership Rugby|title=Bath sign Leicester Tigers and England fly-half Freddie Burns|date=14 February 2017|access-date=5 March 2017}}

In a Champions Cup match on 13 October 2018, a blunder by Burns cost Bath their match against Toulouse. Having got behind the posts, Burns started to celebrate instead of immediately touching down for a try. However, a Toulouse player, Maxime Medard managed to knock the ball out of his hand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/10/13/heineken-champions-cup-bath-v-toulouse-live-score-updates/|title=Freddie Burns drops a clanger: Howler from full-back sees Bath snatch defeat from the jaws of victory|first1=Gavin|last1=Mairs|first2=Charlie|last2=Morgan|date=13 October 2018|work=The Daily Telegraph}}

=Shokki Shuttles=

On 1 May 2020, it was announced that Burns would leave Bath at the end of his contract to join Japanese side Toyota Jido Shokki.{{Cite web|title=Bath Rugby confirms Freddie Burns to depart for Japan|url=https://www.bathrugby.com/club-news/bath-rugby-confirms-freddie-burns-to-depart-for-japan/|website=Bath Rugby|language=en|access-date=2020-05-01}}

=Return to Leicester=

Burns returned to Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2021–22 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/freddie-burns-to-return-to-leicester-tigers/|work=Rugby Pass|title=Freddie Burns to return to Leicester Tigers|date=17 March 2021}} With George Ford called up for {{nrut|England}} Burns started every match for Leicester during February 2022 leading to him being awarded the Gallagher Player of the Month award.{{cite news|url=https://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/freddie-burns-named-gallagher-premiership-rugby-player-of-the-month/33491.htm|work=Talking Rugby Union|title=Freddie Burns named Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Month|date=10 March 2022|access-date=21 June 2022}} His drop goal in the 79th minute won Leicester the 2022 Gallagher Premiership final against Saracens and earned his first major title. Burns had earlier come on as a replacement for the injured George Ford.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61829701|title=Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title|website=BBC Sport|date=18 June 2022|access-date=20 June 2022}}

=Highlanders=

On 22 January 2023, Leicester Tigers announced that the club had agreed terms with Burns for an early release from his contract with the club – effective from February 2023 – to allow him to continue his career in Super Rugby.{{Cite press release|title=Squad announcement: Freddie Burns|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/squad-announcement-230122|work=Leicester Tigers|language=en|date=2023-01-22|access-date=2023-01-23}} The next day, the {{rut|Highlanders}} announced that the franchise had signed Burns for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.{{Cite press release|title=

Former English International to join the Highlanders|url=https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/former-english-international-to-join-the-highlanders/|work=Highlanders|language=en|date=2023-01-23|access-date=2023-01-23}}

International career

Burns represented his country at under 20 level and played in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina in 2010.

Burns represented England Saxons against Ireland and Scotland A, and his form earned him selection into the England EPS squad for the Barbarians game on 27 May 2012.

On 1 December 2012, Burns made his England debut, replacing Owen Farrell during the 38–21 victory over New Zealand, during which he scored his first international points with two penalties.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/20534229|title=England 38-21 New Zealand|date=1 December 2012|publisher=BBC}}

Burns joined the 2013 England tour and played at number 10 vs Argentina in both tests. He scored two penalties and three out of four conversions in the first game when the team won 32–3, and also scored his first England try. He started the first test against New Zealand at Eden Park in June 2014, kicking 12 points in a 20-15 England loss.

=International tries=

{{updated|7 July 2019}} {{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/95861.html|title=Freddie Burns|date=7 July 2019}}

Try	Opposing team	Location	Venue	Competition	Date	Result	Score
class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%"
1	{{ru\|ARG}}	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Estadio José Amalfitani	2013 mid-year rugby union tests	{{dts\|format=dmy\|2013\|6\|15}}	Win	51 - 26{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22915126\|title=Argentina 26-51 England \|work=BBC Sport \|access-date=2014-03-16}}

Personal life

Born in Bath, Burns is a former pupil of Beechen Cliff School in the city. His younger brother Billy Burns, who plays for Ulster and {{nrut|Ireland}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/rugby/freddie-burns-brother-billy-burns-ireland-debut-453938|title='To See the Little Brother Represent Ireland Was Unbelievable'}} Burns is Irish-qualified by virtue of his paternal grandfather, Tommy, who was born in Dublin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/englands-freddie-burns-revels-in-younger-brothers-ireland-call-up/|title=England's Freddie Burns revels in younger brother's Ireland call-up|website=rugbypass.com}}

In an interview with BT Sportat Silverstone, Burns revealed he is named after Freddie Spencer the two time 500cc World Champion.{{cite video|url=https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/clips/2022/august/premiership-hero-freddie-burns-takes-a-lap-of-silverstone|title=Premiership hero Freddie Burns takes a lap of Silverstone|access-date=5 September 2022|publisher=BT Sport}}

In an interview in May 2023, Burns criticised the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla, opining that while he was a proud Englishman, the money spent on the event could have been better utilised to assist people struggling during the United Kingdom's cost of living crisis.{{cite web |last1=Newboult |first1=Colin |title=Freddie Burns: Highlanders fly-half concerned by ‘disappointing’ Super Rugby crowds |url=https://www.planetrugby.com/news/freddie-burns-highlanders-fly-half-and-former-england-international-concerned-by-disappointing-super-rugby-pacific-crowds |website=Planet Rugby |access-date=10 June 2023}}