Freddie Burns kicks with Owen Farrell attempting a charge down. Photo: Mike Egerton/Pa
England flyhalf to quit Premiership for Super Rugby
The Highlanders of Super Rugby have bolstered their squad with the addition of an experienced England international flyhalf.
Freddie Burns kicks with Owen Farrell attempting a charge down. Photo: Mike Egerton/Pa
England international flyhalf Freddie Burns has signed on for a season in Super Rugby with the Highlanders.
Burns joins the South Island stalwarts for the 2023 campaign.
England flyhalf joins Super Rugby
He has found himself pushed out of the Leicester Tigers lineup by the return to fitness of Handre Pollard and at 32 years old is eager for some new experiences.
“As a young lad I grew up watching Super rugby in the early hours of morning,” Burns said.
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“To have the opportunity to represent such a prestigious club as the Highlanders in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season is a huge honour. I look forward to getting started and adding to the group both on and off the field.”
Competition for places
It’s a move that appears to make more sense for Burns than for the Highlanders who have the likes of Lima Sopoaga, Josh Ioane, Marty Banks and Mitch Hunt in the position.
Highlanders Head Coach Clarke Dermody though, has welcomed the arrival of the experienced England playmaker.
“Having a player of Freddie’s calibre available to us in such a crucial position is a real boost for the squad,” Dermody said.
“Last year we were exposed at 10 due to a run of injuries and while we covered the situation, we were asking a lot of Sam Gilbert and Vili Koroi who are not regular starting first-fives. Freddie’s arrival will provide us with that extra insurance against that scenario playing out again in 2023.”
The 2023 Super Rugby season gets underway on 24 February.
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In the upcoming campaign 12 teams will compete for the title with the five Australia franchises joined by five more from New Zealand and the Pacific Island teams of the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
The Highlanders lost to the Blues in the quarter-finals of the 2022 season and are currently on a three-match losing streak in Super Rugby.
