Freddie Burns, former England fly-half and notable figure in rugby, has officially retired after a distinguished career lasting nearly 20 years. The 36-year-old, who joined Romanian club Dinamo Bucuresti last summer, shared an emotional farewell message on Instagram, expressing gratitude towards fans, teammates, and supporters throughout his journey.
Burns enjoyed a diverse and accomplished career across several countries, including playing in England, Japan, and New Zealand. Highlights include winning the Premiership title with Leicester Tigers in 2022 and earning five international caps for England.
Reflecting on his career, 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.”
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He paid tribute to all the clubs he represented: “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.”
Burns acknowledged the honour of playing for his country, stating, “To have represented my country will always have been the greatest honour of my career. Nothing will ever compare to pulling on that jersey.”
He also expressed appreciation for everyone involved in his rugby journey: “To every team-mate, opponent, coach, physio, S&C coach, analyst, team manager, translator and intern who shared this journey with me – thank you. Each one of you shaped me in ways you’ll probably never know.”
One of Burns’ memorable moments came in the 2022 Premiership final when he scored a last-minute drop goal to secure Leicester Tigers’ victory. His England debut took place in December 2012, when he replaced Owen Farrell in a 38-21 victory over New Zealand.
Addressing supporters, Burns said, “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.”
Originally from Bath, Burns also extended thanks to his family and long-time agent, Nick Robinson. In a light-hearted and defiant note, he addressed his early-career critics, stating, “To those who said I was too small and would never make it, f**k you.” accompanied by a winking emoji.
He concluded by reflecting on the lessons rugby taught him: “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.”