Burns’ last-gasp drop goal seals title
FREDDIE BURNS admitted he was still in shock after landing the ‘dead duck’ of a drop goal that secured Leicester the Gallagher Premiership title with a dramatic 15-12 final victory over Saracens at Twickenham.
Burns’ winning kick wobbled between the posts with 22 seconds left as the Tigers staged a determined drive downfield to give their replacement fly-half the best possible platform from which to strike.
Leicester had lost their general George Ford to a first-half ankle injury and Burns stepped up admirably.
‘It was one of those where I was ecstatic to get it over. I managed to shin it over, it was like a dead duck going over but I don’t care, it went through!’ said Burns, who was signed last summer from Japanese club rugby. ‘It was gutting for
George to come off so early.
He’s been instrumental in how the team has gone this year.
‘When I was running back celebrating, I looked up and saw there were still around 25 seconds on the clock. A few years ago I made a fool of myself celebrating too early (for Bath in 2018) and I didn’t want it to happen again, so I tried to get the boys on it and luckily enough we cleared up that restart.
‘I’m in disbelief right now. I’m normally not short of words, but I can’t believe what’s happened.
‘Japan was the best thing that happened to me. It allowed me to fall back in love with the game and check my ego.
‘To have this moment with a group of players, who I couldn’t love any more, is special. I’m a bit all over the shop.’
Saracens’ hopes of completing a stunning rise from the salary cap scandal and relegation humiliation 15 months ago to win a sixth league crown were dashed by the snarling Tigers.
Tries by their South African back-row forwards Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese during an eight-minute spell in the second quarter underpinned Leicester’s victory.
Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies was off the field for both scores after being sin-binned following a high shoulder-led challenge on Tigers hooker Julian Montoya, although he was fortunate to avoid a red card.
Burns added a conversion before his dramatic clincher, while Saracens skipper Owen Farrell kicked three penalties and Elliot Daly one.