'They have my number': Freddie Burns on potential Prem suitor

Never one to miss the opportunity for a quip, Freddie Burns has set the hares racing with a cheeky comment to the Japanese news site, RugbyJP.com, about his potential plans for the future.

Having helped his team, Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, claim the Japanese Second Division title with a player of the match display in last weekend’s 61-24 win over the Red Dolphins, the five-times capped former England international announced this season would be his last at the Tokyo-based club.

Even in the twilight years of his career, Burns has proved he can still do a job. He scored two tries and kicked eight conversions against the Red Dolphins to move onto 11 tries and 172 points for the season, the most in the league, and the news that he was looking to move on won’t have been lost on clubs looking for a 10.

The Bathonian potentially has three games left for the Shuttles, who complete the regular season with a game against Quade Cooper’s Kintetsu Liners before tackling League One basement outfit, Urayasu D-Rocks in a two-leg promotion-relegation play-off. on May 24 and May 31.

Burns will have turned 35 by then, but even so, Leicester fans would welcome back the hero of their 2022 Premiership Final, especially as they are looking short in the 10 department next season with Handré Pollard and Jamie Shillcock moving on.

When asked if a return to Leicester Tigers was on the cards, Burns quipped: “They have my number.”

Burns hasn’t ruled out remaining in Japan but a return to Super Rugby – he had a short spell with the Hurricanes before going to Japan – is not likely.

“I don’t think that opportunity will open up against my age,” he told RugbyJP.com. “Would have loved another crack as the injury (a broken leg) meant it was over just as I was getting started. Forever proud though.”