20 Questions: Freddie Burns – Gloucester fly-half

Big year for Gloucester?
Massive! The way last year ended was a big disappointment but there are a lot of fresh faces on board and hopefully we’ll have a big one.
Impressions of new boss Nigel Davies?
Great so far. There’s a positive vibe at the club and it helps having a coach who likes to play the style we all enjoy.
How’s Mike Tindall getting on as a coach?
He’s been helping all the youngsters over the last couple of years anyway, so it’s just a new title for him and a few extra meetings at the end of the day.
How excited was Tinds about Zara winning a medal at the Olympics?
He was tweeting about it non-stop! He’s a proud man now… we all are. We see Zara around and fair play to her.
Enjoy the Olympics?
Loved it! The country’s been fixated with celebrities who haven’t done anything, but now we’ve got some real heroes like Jess Ennis, Mo Farah and Bradley Wiggins.
Best Olympics moment?
Mo Farah… twice! In the 10,000m he ran his last lap something like seven seconds quicker than any of us Gloucester boys did in our 400m testing. And we think we’re fit!!
Other sporting heroes?
Valentino Rossi. My family are big Moto GP fan and he’s someone I look up to. My old man used to be in Motocross, but I’m awful on a bike myself.
Rugby hero?
Carlos Spencer. He turned up at Gloucester and I made my debut alongside him in Andy Hazell’s testimonial. That was an awesome experience.
You share Spencer’s spirit of adventure, don’t you?
I love a bit of flair and he had the bottle to just go for it. If something’s on, I’ll do it…
Gloucester players you hang around with?
I live with Dave Lewis – he cooks, I clean – and everyone goes round each other’s place and chill-out together. It’s good that the youngsters are a tight group.
Anything about Dave Lewis that annoys you?
He’s really noisy when he eats. He’s very polite and keeps his mouth shut, but he just makes this noise and it drives me mad. He’s a good lad, though.
Best banter in Gloucester’s changing room?
Jonny May‘s pretty good, along with Jim Hamilton. There are some good exchanges between Jonny and Nick Wood. Jonny knows how to get to Woody so he fully exploits that.
Cleverest player?
Christ, that’s a tough one! Nick Wood likes to think he is, but I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. I’d say Alex Brown, because I listen to him about life skills and stuff like that.
Best and worst trainers?
Tom Savage is the ultimate professional and is keen as mustard. Worst has to be Henry Trinder. He breaks a bit easier than the rest and is always moaning… “My legs are tired”
Shortest arms, deepest pockets?
Pete Buxton. I’ve been at the club four or five years and never seen him buy a beer, so I’ll just hop on the bandwagon and give him stick.
Favourite food and drink?
Got to be my mum’s lasagne… Donna Burns makes the best lasagne ever. That should earn me a few Brownie points! Drinks-wise, I like a nice pint of cider.
Enjoy the odd pint with the fans?
Got to be done. Gloucester fans are fantastic and I always try to get across to one of the pubs after every home game. Rain or shine they’re always there and I appreciate what they do.
Love and hate about rugby?
Nothing I hate, it’s all pretty decent. I love the fact you’re playing with all your mates in a great environment and you have friends throughout the world by the end of it.
Team-mate you’re a little afraid of?
Akapusi Qera. He hits hard and you stay out of his way. Pete Buxton too… but he’s just clumsy!
Hopes for the season?
To nail down the Gloucester 10 shirt and push on with England Saxons. First and foremost, though, it’s to help get Gloucester back on top of the Premiership.