No Ford, no problem: Why Freddie Burns was the perfect super-sub to inspire Leicester to glory

Freddie Burns is among the most affable figures in English rugby union and a healthy slice of self-awareness underpins his popularity. A trace of vulnerability helps, too. At full-time, Leicester Tigers’ stand-in stand-off produced a one-liner that was as accurate as the match-winning drop-goal that sunk Saracens.

“I can’t believe it,” said the 32-year-old. “I thought moments like this weren’t for people like me.”

Few could dispute the sentiment. As much as his sense of humour and honesty has earned a cult following, Burns was an unlikely hero. A day like this was not meant to belong to him. He spent last season in Japan’s second tier.

Burns had been a Twickenham super-sub before, yet that could have been in a different life. On the occasion of his Test debut almost a decade ago, he came off the bench for the final 16 minutes of England’s 38-21 victory over New Zealand. He even kicked a pair of penalties, but Owen Farrell and George Ford proved to be tough rivals for international honours and Burns has only added four caps since while bouncing between clubs.

Indeed, this Premiership final was supposed to be headlined by Farrell and Ford, even if a silhouette of Burns was used for the game’s promotional poster. How prescient. As it happened, Ford’s withdrawal in the 23rd minute cut short that developing subplot. Burns would not have been cowed. A week previously, he joined the semi-final against Northampton Saints even earlier when Dan Kelly broke down. Rather than derail Leicester, Ford’s unfortunate injury set in motion a defining performance from Burns that simultaneously encapsulated different facets of Leicester’s turnaround.

The new arrival began tidily. Following Aled Davies’ high tackle on Julián Montoya, which