‘Pull of Tigers fans helped to get Burns’
TIGERS NEWS RETURNING FLY-HALF WAS IN DEMAND
FREDDIE Burns was a “man in demand” but Leicester Tigers’ supporters proved key in securing his return.
That is the view of head coach Steve Borthwick who spoke for the first time about signing the fly-half to start his second stint at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road ahead of the 2021/22 season.
The 30-year-old, who is currently playing for Toyota Jido Shokki in Japan, put pen to paper on a two-year deal, paving the way for him to add to the 75 Tigers appearances he made between 2014 and 2017, before joining Bath.
“He was certainly a man in demand in terms of several different options elsewhere,” said Borthwick, below.
“I think that the pull of Leicester Tigers was significant, the pull of the supporters of Leicester Tigers was very important.
“He’s certainly thought of in a real positive light.
“And not just the supporters but everybody around the club. “He’s a good player, I am looking forward to seeing him on the pitch.”
Borthwick added: “One thing that has come across strongly is how much he cares for the club and cares for the people he spent his time with here.
“I think the supporters, when they see how much someone cares for the club, I think that is reciprocated.
“I am looking forward to the supporters being back in at the stadium and they played a huge part in Freddie Burns deciding to commit his future to Leicester Tigers.”
Burns is primarily a fly-half but also has the ability to play at fullback.
Borthwick pointed to the versatility of many members of his current squad to highlight the importance that attribute will bring.
“You look at his ability as a player and he’s played at the top level as a 10, 12 and 15,” he said.
“I’ve played Zack Henry at 15 as well. There’s flexibility among those players, in terms of positionally.
“I think everyone will say Freddie Burns is a fly-half who has the talent, ability and experience to play in different positions.
“His last spell in the Premiership, he played a lot at 15. You always look to players with that kind of ability.
“You see with Hanro Liebenberg, I’ve played him at six, seven and eight.
“He’s had some spells in the second row as well.
“I understand he is a six, flexibility is helpful, but you’ve got to understand what a player is.”
Tigers currently have four senior fly-half options at their disposal in George Ford, Henry, Johnny McPhillips and Joaquin Diaz Bonilla.
Both Henry and Diaz Bonilla have been linked with summer moves away from the club, but Henry has been the preferred option in Ford’s absence – starting seven of Tigers’ eight games played during the Six Nations period.
Argentina international Diaz Bonilla has started only once, the defeat away to Bristol Bears, with Borthwick conceding Premiership rules that limit the amount of overseas players in a matchday squad was a factor in the 31-year-old’s fewer opportunities.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old McPhillips has made seven appearances from the bench during the international window.
Borthwick would not be drawn on whether Burns’ arrival will see another fly-half head out of the club. He said: “I’ll wait and see. We will be shaping things in the way we
need to.”