Ex-Leicester and Gloucester fly-half Burns to retire

Former Leicester, Bath, Gloucester and England fly-half Freddie Burns is to retire from rugby later this year.

The 36-year-old kicked the winning last-minute drop-goal when Tigers won the Premiership title in 2022, and was also capped by England.

Burns left Leicester to play for Highlanders in New Zealand in 2023 and also had spells in Japan. He is currently playing for Romanian side Dinamo Bucuresti.

"As a child I dreamed of playing just one minute of professional rugby," Burns said in a statement on Instagram, external.

"To have lived this career for almost two decades is more than I ever imagined. I feel incredibly fortunate."

Burns was born in Bath but began his professional career with Gloucester in their academy and went on to make more than 100 appearances for the Cherry and Whites.

He joined Leicester for the first time for the 2014-15 season before moving to his hometown club Bath three years later.

He re-signed for the Tigers in 2021 and sealed his place in club folklore a year later when he kicked a drop-goal in the closing seconds of the Premiership final at Twickenham, to beat Saracens and secure a first title in nine years for the club.

In total the number 10 made 115 appearances for Leicester before his departure in 2023.

Burns also won five international caps for England after making his debut in 2012 against New Zealand.

"To have represented my country was the greatest honour of my career," Burns added.

"Nothing will ever compare to pulling on that jersey."