Fergus Burke - 'It was a no-brainer to represent Scotland'

New recruit Fergus Burke has revealed he felt better suited to Scotland’s style of rugby and it was a “no-brainer” to commit himself to Gregor Townsend’s side despite having talks about a potential Test career with England.

The 25-year-old Saracens fly-half was qualified to play for both countries via his English mother and a Scottish grandfather, as well as his native New Zealand.

But Burke, who has started 12 of Sarries’ 14 games since arriving in north London last summer, said the picture painted by club-mate Andy Christie and his chats with Townsend persuaded him where his international future lay.

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“I spoke to England a little bit in the last wee while,” he said. “It was kind of just around ‘you’re close, so stay English qualified’, that type of route. But I spoke to my family and made a decision to commit to Scotland and it’s something that I don’t take for granted.

“When Gregor gave me that call it was something that I wanted to do and that I’m fully committed to. I’m just so grateful to be here – it’s an awesome environment, a successful team and it was a no-brainer to represent Scotland.

“Obviously [currently injured Scotland flanker] Andy Christie is at Sarries and speaking to him about the environment, the style of play here, I feel like it suits me the most. When Gregor gave me the call, deep down I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

“This week has been unbelievable, everyone is so welcoming, there’s no egos. It’s a super cool environment to be part of. I feel like the style that Scotland play definitely suits my game and it’s exciting.”

Part of that excitement over the past few days has been working for the first time alongside Scotland’s playmaker-in-chief Finn Russell.

Burke has been an admirer from afar and has already seen first-hand what Russell can do after the 32-year-old Bath No.10 orchestrated a 10-try, 68-10 thrashing of Burke’s Saracens a little over three weeks ago on 28 December.

“He’s world class,” Burke said. “I’ve watched him for a long time. He’s definitely got his own style of playing and I definitely rate him as at least one of the top fly-halves in the world, if not the top.

“So to be able to come in here and learn from him, have conversations with him about how he sees the game, is so good for my development as well.”

Burke is competing with fellow New Zealander Tom Jordan, a year older than Burke at 26, for the role of Russell’s back-up at 10 during the forthcoming Six Nations. Both grew up in New Zealand’s North Island, with Jordan at Hamilton Old Boys while Burke played for Chiefs Under-18s before Crusaders spotted him and he joined their academy while he was studying for a business degree at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.

“We’ve actually never met before this week,” Burke said of Jordan. “I obviously know who he is. He’s actually good friends with one of my best mates from school, so it’s cool to make that connection.”

Burke was the heir apparent to All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo’unga in Christchurch, having helped Canterbury to an NPC final in 2022 and Crusaders to the Super Rugby Pacific title in 2023, predominantly from full-back as Mo’unga pulled the strings at 10.

But a ruptured Achilles tendon in late 2023 cost him the chance to take over last year when Mo’unga upped sticks to Japan. Having been sounded out by Townsend and his lead analyst Gavin Vaughan – who has identified the Scottish heritage of several of the national squad – while he was still in New Zealand, Burke was happy to maintain the connection when Saracens offered him a chance to head north last summer.

“I definitely knew I wanted to play rugby over this side of the world at some point,” he said. “It probably happened a little bit faster than what I had imagined but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“When I was deciding whether I went to Sarries, Gregor gave me a call. They [Saracens] actually put Gregor in touch with me and so they were always open to the idea of me playing for Scotland.

“I’ve always known that my grandad was Scottish and I’ve been having conversations with Gregor and Gavin for three or four years. I’ve always known it’s kind of there and the exciting opportunity that could arise if it went that way and I’m grateful that it has.”

Burke’s grandfather was born in Edinburgh but based in Glasgow before moving to England and meeting his grandmother. Burke’s mum Julie – one of their nine children –was born in Dover.

“My family are super excited,” he said. “Most of my immediate family is still in New Zealand. My grandparents on my mum’s side have passed away now so unfortunately don’t get to see this achievement, but it’s a super proud moment for my family.”

Burke only set foot on Scottish soil for the first time his week after joining his new team-mates for a three-day pre-tournament training camp at their Edinburgh base.

His first visit to the UK was last June when he played for the Barbarians – alongside the likes of All Blacks Sam Whitehead and Leicester Fainga’anuku, France centre Gael Fickou and England wing Jonny May – in their 45-32 victory over Fiji at Twickenham.

He could be back there next month, with Scotland seeking a fifth successive Calcutta Cup victory in the third game of their Six Nations campaign on 22 February.

“That would be awesome,” Burke added. “Twickenham’s a cool stadium; the atmosphere in that Barbarians-Fiji game was something so cool. It would be great to play there against some of my [Sarries] team-mates.

“But also the prospect of playing at Murrayfield excites me; people speak so highly of that and how cool the atmosphere is there. If I get the opportunity, I’d be looking forward to that as well.”