The Gloucester fly-half’s signing on a three-year contract will be announced in the New Year. The arrival of one England fly-half at Welford Road coincides with the departure of another following confirmation of Flood’s move to join Toulouse.
Burns has admitted he has been unsettled by transfer speculation, but The Rugby Paper understands, that the Tigers’ deal has now been signed.
Another international fly-half who had interested Leicester, Rhys Priestland, is now left with a straight choice between staying at the Scarlets or joining Cardiff Blues second row Bradley Davies at Wasps next season.
Priestland has already given an ominous hint that the political wrangling in Wales will force him to leave.
“It’s very hard to make a decision when you don’t know what’s going on,” he said.
“I’m not sure we can expect players to commit themselves to something when nobody has a clue what’s going on.
“It’s not just me in that situation. I think there are a few players feeling quite frustrated at the moment.”
PETER JACKSON