'Nothing comes close to this place': Freddie Burns returns to Leicester

Former England fly-half Freddie Burns has returned to Leicester, where he had two spells as a player, after being appointed as the club’s kicking coach.

Leicester’s 2022 PREM-winning hero hung up his boots at the end of last season, having seen out his career in Romania, and has been given a full-time contract.

He is the second former Tigers player to join the coaching team in the space of just over a week, after Craig Newby was brought on board as the club’s part-time forwards skills coach.

The 36-year-old Welford Road crowd favourite is delighted to be back in familiar surroundings.

“I’m very excited to begin my coaching journey with Tigers. It’s a club I care deeply about and I’m excited to help try and get the best out of this group that has huge potential,” Burns said.

“I’ve had a brilliant career in terms of where I’ve been able to play the game around the world, nothing comes close to this place though.

“I’m really excited to get to work and be back at Oval Park. Being here (Mattioli Woods Welford Road) on matchdays will be brilliant, I can’t wait.”

Burns also played for Bath and Gloucester in the PREM, and in Japan and New Zealand, before closing the chapter on his colourful playing career with Dinamo Bucharesti.

Tigers head coach Geoff Parling, whose own Leicester playing career briefly overlapped with Burns’ first spell at the club, believes the former fly-half will be a valuable addition to the team.

Parling said: “We’re excited for Fred to start his full-time coaching career with us. He will work with our kickers in both the first team and academy and is hungry to pass on what’s he’s learned across a distinguished playing career.”

“He’s also a good person to be around, and someone that wants to add value to the environment.”