Burns calls for ban on 4G pitches
LEICESTER Tigers back Freddie Burns has called for artificial pitches to be banned, writes Bobby Bridge.
The former Bath, Gloucester and England star was responding to a Tweet from ex-Tigers lock Jim Hamilton that shared the news that World Rugby has approved the use of leggings or tights at all levels of the game.
While the 31-year-old said he would not be adding the undergarments to his matchday kitbag, he did share his thoughts on pitches that deviate from grass surfaces.
“Don’t think I’ll be wearing tights any time soon, but players have enough injury concern without throwing third degree burns in there,” he replied on Twitter, sharing an image of an injured knee.
“That ain’t my knee but it’s a pic from another Prem rugby player. I’d rather they just banned plastic pitches.”
Burns is the latest player to share his thoughts on the topic. Last month, Harlequins and England prop Joe Marler tweeted: “Ban 4G pitches” after his side’s opening round match at Kingston Park.
Newcastle Falcons, Saracens, Gloucester and Tigers’ next opponents, Worcester Warriors, all play their home games on artificial pitches.
Marler’s tweet gained the support of Exeter Chiefs and England back Jack Nowell, who went on to tell The
Offload podcast: “I can’t stand them. I’m in a position now that I can play on them but when I was younger I struggled quite a bit with patellar tendonitis.
“I had that operation done eventually, so I’m kind of in a position to play on them, but they’re just not nice.
“When you get through the game, you feel all right, then your Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday sessions are horrendous. I can’t run. I feel very, very sore, worse than I normally would after a game.
“I don’t know if you become robust to them or used to playing on them.”
Marler’s tweet also gained support from Nowell’s teammate Henry Slade while Australian rugby legend Adam Ashley-Cooper also retweeted Marler’s statement.
Championship clubs Ealing Trailfinders and Coventry both play on 4G surfaces, the latter of which hosted a pre-season friendly against Wasps, after which Wasps centre Michael Le Bourgeois took to social media to share an image of burns he had suffered to his legs.