“Your man from the photograph gained the Premiership, did not he?” These phrases have been among the many final a Leicester fan mentioned to his grandson after Tigers clinched final season’s Grand Remaining towards Saracens.
The participant within the photograph was Freddie Burns, whose last-minute drop-goal sealed the dramatic victory and capped Tigers’ sensational return to the summit of English rugby union after years of battle.
Shortly after Leicester lifted the trophy, the supporter handed away.
His grandson – who requested to stay nameless – selected to share the emotional reminiscence with Burns after the 32-year-old introduced he would go away the defending champions to move to the Highlanders in New Zealand.
Burns cried as he learn out the letter throughout an interview with BBC Radio Leicester, saying “the emotion you may hear has been effervescent up for a few weeks”.
“One thing like that makes it arduous to go away,” a tearful Burns mentioned.
“To know I’ve had a second that has given individuals these moments with their household, and particularly somebody coming to the tip of their life and cherishing the reminiscences means the world.”
The versatile fly-half, who has had two stints with Leicester since 2014, will make his a hundred and fifteenth and closing look for Tigers of their East Midlands derby at residence towards Northampton Saints on Saturday.
“I would not wish to go another means actually,” mentioned Burns.
“After all I will give it some thought being my final sport and the emotion I’ve round it.
“However after I get within the altering room and put that shirt on, my function on Saturday is to cherish each second and provides it my all, like I at all times have, and hopefully stroll away with the win.”
Burns credit that perspective for serving to him ship essentially the most well-known kick within the membership’s historical past, touchdown the the drop-goal that gained them an eleventh Premiership title – and first for 9 years – final season.
On his return to Mattioli Woods Welford Highway in 2021, Burns mentioned he knew England fly-half George Ford would “rightly be first selection”. And so he determined to not “get slowed down in essentially enjoying nicely”.
“I simply wished to come back again, put on that shirt and play for this membership, at this place yet another time,” he mentioned.
“I knew if I went out and cherished each second, that’s after I do play my greatest rugby. I believe Tigers received the very best of me final yr, for certain.”
