Freddie Burns: 'I've made a fool of myself celebrating too early before - it wasn't going to happen again'

Freddie Burns admitted his infamous Toulouse horror-show raced through his mind after slotting the game-winning drop goal that secured Leicester a 15-12 victory against Saracens in a pulsating Premiership final. 

Leicester had led for much of the contest at Twickenham through first-half tries from back-rowers Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese but Saracens drew level with just five minutes remaining through Owen Farrell’s third penalty kick. Leicester had also been reduced to 14 men with replacement Matt Scott being sent to the sin-bin, but Burns held his nerve to kick the drop goal - just the eighth scored in the Premiership all season - with 20 seconds remaining. 

For Leicester this was the culmination of a remarkable rebuilding job under head coach Steve Borthwick. Just two seasons ago, they would have been relegated but for Saracens’ points deduction for salary-cap breaches and now they are champions for the first time in nine years. 

Burns too enjoyed his own redemption arc. In 2018, Burns cost Bath a Champions Cup victory against Toulouse when he started prematurely celebrating a try only to have the ball knocked out of his hands (watch video below). He was subject of a vicious smear campaign by anonymous trolls and moved to Japan’s second division before rejoining Leicester last summer.

Five minutes to go...

Chance to win the game...

"Oh he's dropped it!"

A brutal moment for Bath star Freddie Burns