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Posted 19/06/2022 in English Premiership by Host a Fan

Freddie Burns Saracens


Freddie Burns Saracens

At the end of the heatwave, it was written in the stars that the scorching season would be decided by the ice-cold nerves of a man called Burns. 


After 'Frydays' heat, yesterday's final was played in much cooler, rugby-friendly conditions but the temperature reached fever-pitch with just a few minutes to play. Owen Farrell kicked Saracens' fourth penalty of the game to bring the scores level at 12 each with Leicester reduced to 14 men. The game, and with it, the Premiership season looked like it was going to go to extra-time. Time for Sarries to make their extra nous, experience and man advantage really count. Burns had other ideas. 


"the realisation of a potential last minute, Premiership-winning drop goal spread

 through like a big game of Chinese whispers". 

The stage was very much set. The Twickenham clock had ticked into the last 30 seconds. The Tigers were knocking on the Saracens 22 on their 10th phase. You could feel it in the stands, as the realisation of a potential last minute, Premiership-winning drop goal spread through like a big game of Chinese whispers. 


Ben Youngs bent over the ruck looking for his prey. He glanced to his right where Burns was ready and waiting to light the blue touch paper It all came down to this. Despite the sense of sporting crescendo, Burns remained ice cold to write his name into Tigers, Premiership and English rugby history with one magic swing of his right boot. Delirium? Not quite. He immediately pointed to his temples, as he ran back, imploring his teammates to concentrate for what would be the very last play. 


"In that moment, you suddenly saw these young men and fathers as young,

 dreaming school kids on mud-pit pitches"


The celebrations didn't have to wait long though. The Tigers players, led by that man Burns, ran, bounced and sprang for pure, unadulterated joy in front of a gasping Twickenham crowd, was priceless. In that moment, you suddenly saw these young men and fathers as young, dreaming school kids on mud-pit pitches. An 'I was there' moment for the gasping, breathless and predominantly-Tigers Twickenham crowd. If that didn't quite make the increased admission price worth it alone, then the sight of Tom Youngs invited on to lift the trophy alongside the departing Ellis Genge surely did. A truly class act all round. 


"the game continues to grapple with the delicate balance between being a high intensity, 

physical combat sport and all-important player welfare".


A word for Saracens too. They played their part in this 80-minute final that will be remembered for that one single moment. Rather predictably, it became a kicking game which nullified Saracens' attacking threats. Itoje struggled to get into the game and Malins was nonexistent on the wing. They were simply undone by a few crucial plays going the Tigers' way. Most decisively was scrum-half Aled Davies' 'contact-to-head' sinbin. It was an all-too familiar scene for any rugby fan, and perhaps fitting of the season that had come before it as the game continues to grapple with the delicate balance between being a high intensity, physical combat sport and all-important player welfare. 


The Tigers (who would have a near carbon-copy yellow card later on) pounced, Liebenberg going over the line with Burns adding a further two points. The other try of English rugby's showpiece final came via South Africa as well, with Jasper Wiese going over from close range. 


However, it won't be their names, or their moments that will be indelibly associated with this final. That pleasure and accolade will go to Burns and his Jonny Wilkinson moment of Tigers glory. It was written in the stars. 


2022 is the year of the Tiger after all. 

 


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