Despite suffering a broken leg in Friday’s Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Chiefs, former England fly half Freddie Burns has described himself as “lucky”.
The game ended with a 28-7 victory for the hosts, but Burns and his teammates were left reeling after a collision left his foot in an unnaturally bent position.
This injury occurred just weeks after joining the New Zealand outfit from Leicester Tigers. Taking to social media to update his fans, Burns expressed his determination to “recover well” and return to playing as soon as possible.
Gutted to be facing a bit of time on the sideline with an anterior tibial plateau fracture but these things happen in rugby,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Count myself pretty lucky after watching the footage back. Just got to recover well, attack the rehab and with a bit of luck be running around again by the end of April!”
Scroll along Burns post to watch the incident.
“B****ocks” – The five England players whose Six Nations careers could be over in 24 hours
Is it the last Six Nations dance for some England players? A number of stars will likely be unavailable in 12 months time.
#1. Jack Willis (current age 26)
Willis has reportedly agreed to stay with the French club, and has put pen to paper for an additional year with Toulouse. That means he will be, under current rules, not be available for the 2024 Six Nations.
According to reports from French rugby outlet Midi Olympique, Willis also has the clause in his contract to add an extra year on top of the agreed one season, later in the future. Willis moved to the South of France in November of last year, following the financial collapse of Wasps in the Gallagher Premiership.
The 26-year-old has been so far impressing in his home, and has nestled his way into the starting back row. After almost two years side-lined from the international scene with a serious re-occurring knee injury, Willis has made his comeback to the England squad, with Steve Borthwick also favouring Willis in the back row.
Marking his return with a Six Nations try against Italy, two years after he suffered the horrific injury in the very same fixture, Willis is back and better than ever. However, England are in the midst of re-affirming their eligibility laws, with Willis’ England future up for debate.
Many of England’s fringe players are opting to move to France, with the mass exodus at Exeter Chiefs seeing numerous stars depart due to salary cap restrictions. Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Harry Williams are all preparing for a summer move to Montpellier, and flying winger Jack Nowell was yesterday confirmed for a transfer to La Rochelle.
Possible replacement: Ted Hill
