Leicester’s drop-goal finale against Saracens leaves Burns lost for words

Leicester’s matchwinner, Freddie Burns, has admitted he could barely believe the sensational conclusion to the Premiership final which saw him kick the match-winning drop-goal to deny Saracens in the final minute of the game.

Burns was required to play a more prominent role than he expected when George Ford limped off in the first half, having already managed to revive his professional career at Leicester after a stint in Japan. “I’m in disbelief right now. I’m normally not short of words but I can’t believe I’m sitting here. I managed to shin it over – it was like a dead duck – but I don’t care. It went through.

“We’ve been a team of fighters all year and shown that in numerous games. I don’t think people really gave us much of a shot. Everyone was talking about Saracens’ big game players but I wouldn’t have swapped any of our boys for theirs. We just kept fighting and came out at the right end of it. To give the supporters this moment and reward for their support means everything to everyone at Tigers.”

Head coach Steve Borthwick also saluted the calm way in which his players engineered the chance for Burns to prevent the match spilling over into extra time. “The composure to get themselves into a better position was phenomenal,” said Borthwick. “To think as clearly as they did that far into a very touch game was very impressive. I watched him [Freddie Burns] striking these balls yesterday at the training ground … he’s got nerves of steel, hasn’t he?”

The recent death of former club captain Tom Youngs’s wife, Tiffany, generated additional emotion for all involved with Leicester’s first title for nine years. “Everybody in the whole club has worked hard to get to this position,” said Borthwick. “I’m just delighted for