Andy Gomarsall: Freddie Burns can give England vital spark

Now is the time for England to let Freddie Burns off the leash, according to World Cup winner Andy Gomarsall, who says the Gloucester fly-half is Jonny Wilkinson’s heir apparent.
Owen Farrell‘s dead-eye goal-kicking and maturity beyond his 21 years are traits he shares with Wilkinson and they ensured he was England’s first choice during the Six Nations.
Burns on the other hand has more devil to him, brings his backs into the action more readily and can spark things from nothing – and he did plenty to enhance his reputation in Argentina this summer.
When it matters, however, Burns tends to be saved for cameo roles – Lancaster opting to start with the reliable Farrell who will expect to  reclaim the No.10 after his exploits for the Lions.
But former Kingsholm favourite Gomarsall, who won the 2003 World Cup and reached the final in 2007 alongside Wilkinson, believes Burns should be England’s focal point for 2015.
“You look at your marquee players, your quarter-back and wow, he has some talent for sure,” Gomarsall told The Rugby Paper.
“Unfortunately as pundits and people referring to star players for the future, we are always quick to say he needs an older head and calm it down but I want to throw that out the window.
“We want players expressing themselves and he wants to play the game and I think he has the foundation now within the team to really do that.
“Hopefully he will stay fit and healthy as he has a massive future. He is very exciting, has creativity and can kick his goals so he has everything and all he needs now is the game time.
“If you’re playing week-in week-out as part of a successful team he has the potential to be the next Jonny.”
Burns’ season got off to an inauspicious start as Gloucester crashed to last season’s strugglers Sale Sharks at Kingsholm, but optimism is still rife after the arrival of Matt Kvesic over the summer to bolster a squad brimming with young English talent.
And Gomarsall, who made himself a fans’ favourite at Gloucester between 2000 and 2005, believes they can break into the top four this season, after just missing out on the Premiership semi-finals last term.
“I am really hopeful for Gloucester; the foundation of the club is fantastic, they have always had a large fan base and the stadium is amazing and inspiring for the players,” he added.
“Unfortunately it seemed more inspiring for the opposition on the opening weekend but Gloucester will come round and they have got a fantastic player pool and great depth.
“Some of the young players that I played with when I was there are now the experienced players and I know that not many people move from Gloucester because they have a great core, great leadership and they will be in the reckoning at the end of the season.”
Gomarsall also has high hopes for another of his former clubs, Bath, claiming the glory days could be on their way back to the Rec this season, after a summer of recruitment and the arrival of Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson, George Ford, Matt Garvey and Gavin Henson.
“It takes some time when you have new players coming in to build a core value in that group of players but Bath certainly have the talent there and need to bring it together,” said Gomarsall.
“A lot of teams have been like Bath in that they have shown the ability to win a league but it is just about the consistency.
“The Premiership obviously has the semis and final which is a bit of a crescendo finish but it’s a long, hard season – the weather is already turning and they have the pack to battle through the winter to keep them up there.”
RYAN WALTERS