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The veteran back has called time on his professional career
Former England international Freddie Burns has announced his retirement from rugby and taken the opportunity to hit out at the critics who doubted he would make it.
The 36-year-old has called time on a career that saw him represent his country five times on the international stage and win the Premiership title with Leicester Tigers in 2022, after he scored a dramatic last-minute drop goal in the final. As well as spells with Leicester, Gloucester and Bath, Burns also played in Japan and New Zealand before joining Romanian side Dinamo Bucuresti last year.
However, following a season in Romania, the fly-half has decided it is time to hang up his boots, and he has announced his decision with a heartfelt statement shared on social media.
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“It is with a heavy but full heart that I announce my retirement from playing professional rugby at the end of this Romanian league season,” Burns wrote.
“As a child, I dreamed of playing just one minute of professional rugby. To have lived this career for almost two decades is more than I ever imagined. I feel incredibly fortunate.
“To Cinderford, Gloucester, Leicester, Bath, the Highlanders, Shokki and Dinamo, thank you for allowing me to live out my dream. It was a privilege to represent every one of you.”
He continued: “To have represented my country will always have been the greatest honour of my career. Nothing will ever compare to pulling on that jersey.
“To every supporter who wears their team colours with pride, thank you. I hope I gave you as many reasons to be proud of your team as you gave me reasons to be proud to represent it.
“To my family, thank you for believing in me long before anyone else did. You’ve celebrated every high, carried me through every low, and been my greatest source of strength. This journey belongs to all of us. I love you.”
However, Burns also couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to round on those who doubted he would make it in professional rugby due to his size as a youngster.
Sharing a photo of him celebrating Leicester’s 2022 title win, he added: “To those who said I was too small and would never make it… F*** you. Rugby taught me many things, but above all it taught me resilience.
“The setbacks made the successes sweeter, and the challenges shaped the person I am today. Thank you rugby.”
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