Freddie Burns says performance is the focus for he and his Leicester Tigers team-mates, not results.
Speaking after the 15-point win over Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods, Burns couldn’t hide his delight at seeing what the fly-half described as a squad-wide effort coming to fruition.
“We work hard in the week, we work hard for each other, it is never about one guy … it is a squad-wide effort, every single day at training to be ready come game day,” said Burns.
“Credit to the squad, we have got a few boys away - some key boys - but whoever steps in, does their job.”
As well as picking up the Gallagher Player of the Match award, Burns received more than 40% of votes via the Tigers App to win Fans’ Favourite from Friday night’s bonus-point victory.
"Our focus is on performance, not results, every time we come out to represent Leicester Tigers"
Freddie Burns
Having started at full-back, fly-half and coming off the bench throughout the 21/22 campaign, Burns said he’s enjoying the opportunity to start in the No.10 shirt with George Ford on international duty.
“I’m just trying to make the most of it,” he said.
“This squad has a great blend of youth and experience.
“You’ve got someone a grumpy as Coley sitting in the corner and someone young like Jack van Poortvliet and Dan Kelly on the other side of the changing room.”
Burns’ 15 points from the kicking tee proved the difference in the 35-20 win in front of more than 23,000 fans at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, which took the 31-year-old past 50 points in this season’s Premiership.
In his eighth start for the campaign to date, Burns was an attacking threat all over the park and sparked chances from start-to-finish in a memorable performance.
Asked about his contribution post-game, the fly-half was quick to divert attention from himself and onto the group’s collaborative approach to improving.
“I love playing for this club, love coming out and playing with this group every week,” Burns said.
“The spirit is huge … we are a performance based team, we always want to get better.
“Our focus is on performance, not results, every time we come out to represent Leicester Tigers.”
