Fearless Freddie Burns gets his chance – Mike Tindall

Gloucester player-coach Mike Tindall believes 22-year-old Freddie Burns will have no problem stepping into international rugby should he feature against the All Blacks tomorrow.
The in-form playmaker has shown his class this season for the Cherry and Whites and Tindall is adamant Burns deserves his place in the match-day squad.
He told The Rugby Paper: “I don’t think anyone would argue that he hasn’t earned his chance this season the way he has played.
“He can definitely step up. He doesn’t have any fear so he’s not going to be nervous about what he can do.
“Teams playing against Gloucester know that one of our main threats is Freddie.
“I hope he gets his chance to have a go this weekend to show what he’s done for us at international level.”
The Gloucester backs coach puts the rapid development in Burns’ game down to hard work and the freedom he is given to play.
“He’s always had the skill set and the assets, to run a game,” he said.
“But, what he’s changed through experience is his understanding of the game. He knows how to find the best way to keep the forwards in front of the ball and put us in the right areas of the field.
“Nigel’s given him the freedom to express himself and playing fly-half is about learning and experience.
“It’s about reinforcing the quality stuff that he does and that’s the feedback he is getting so he feeds off that.”

However, Gloucester will travel to Vicarage Road on Sunday without their in-form playmaker at the helm.
But, Tindall is confident his Gloucester backline will still be a force to be reckoned with in his absence.
Sitting third in the Premiership, level on points with Sunday’s opponents Saracens, he is upbeat about his team’s ability to adjust.
He said: “It obviously takes something away from our game but we’ll be fine. Billy Twelvetrees has come in and become a real asset to us.
“This teams all about adapting and that’s been a big focus point with Nigel, adapting to situations and that’s what we’re going to do.”
However, the 2003 World Cup winner knows Gloucester will have to be on top of their game against a physical Sarries outfit.
“Knowing how Sarries go about their business you’ve always got to be cautious, they look to come at you and try to put the pressure back on you,” said Tindall.
“Our set piece has been very good this year especially our scrum. It’s going to be a physical encounter, it always is.”
“We want to be a top two team and we are playing against a renowned top two team so it’s a big challenge for us to again, to see where we are.
“That’s how we judge ourselves, it’s about how you can play against the big boys.”
ALFIE GODDEN