Burns: I’m ready to fill void left by Ford
FLY-HALF HOPES TO BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITY
FREDDIE Burns believes he is “more than capable” of filling the void left by George Ford’s departure at the end of the season.
Leicester Tigers were rocked by the news that the England fly-half will be leaving Mattioli Woods Welford Road for a second time in his career, to team up with Gallagher Premiership rivals Sale Sharks.
Attention swiftly turned to who could come in to soften the blow of the 77-times capped England’s star’s exit – with Springboks World Cup winner Handre Pollard and Saracens’ Alex Lozowski the leading contenders.
However, many may have overlooked the possible solution coming from within.
Chief among the options who will still be at the club next season is Freddie Burns, right, who has yet to start a game at fly-half since returning to the club this summer due to Ford’s sensational form.
“Fordy is someone throughout my career I’ve had quite a big rivalry with, but now, being able to work with him this year, bounce off each other, he’s actually become a good friend,”
Burns told RugbyPass during an interview with ex-Tigers lock Jim Hamilton.
“I have a lot of respect for him, he wants to go back and play and in the area of the country where he was born, back up north, close to home, close to his family, no one can argue with that.
“It’s a blow for the club but I’ve been away for a while, I don’t want people to forget that I am still more than capable of stepping up and taking the club forward.”
While conceding it is a blow to lose a worldclass player, the route could be cleared for 31-yearold Burns to establish himself as the club’s leading option in his favoured position. He added: “Being a fly-half, it opens up that opportunity for me to potentially take that 10 shirt next season when he moves on.
“It’s a tough one, for the state of the squad and wanting the best for Leicester Tigers, it would’ve been great if he was hanging around, but obviously, from a somewhat selfish point of view, it could potentially open up an opportunity for me.”
Early signs, however, are pointing towards Tigers recruiting a top-level player to fill Ford’s place in the squad.
“The club will do what the club needs to do,” added Burns. coach, he will decide if he needs to go out into the market and get a ten.
“Whether he’s happy with myself, Bryce Hegarty and Dan Lancaster coming through.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t really care.
“I want the opportunity and I want to play, but at the same time, if the club go and get someone, I’ll continue to do what I’ve done this year with Fordy – who is arguably the inform fly-half in the country – which is train incredibly hard, train really well and be ready for an opportunity when it comes.
“I’ve not had my opportunity so far this year at 10 because of how Fordy has played and how the team has gone and I fully understand that.
“I feel like I’ve spent a bit of time in Japan, I didn’t play too much at Bath, I don’t want people to forget that I am more than capable and more than able of stepping up and taking the club forward in years to come.
“In terms of Steve’s and the club’s decision, whatever they do now, I am 31, I know how I go about my business and conduct myself – that won’t change, whether they go and get a marquee signing or decide to stick with what we’ve got.”