Bath rally around Freddie Burns after ‘ultimate low’ howler cost them victory against Toulouse
The Bath full-back looked to have secured the home side a famous victory at the Rec, only to have the ball knocked out of his hands as he celebrated before touching it down
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Your support makes all the difference.Jackson Willison has underlined the importance of Bath rallying behind Freddie Burns following his Heineken Champions Cup calamity.
England international Burns missed a late penalty from in front of the posts and messed up a try barely 60 seconds later after breaking clear and crossing the Toulouse line before losing control of the ball under pressure from opposition wing Maxime Medard, who nudged Burns’ arm.
Burns even blew a kiss as he appeared to enjoy an unopposed run-in, but it all went horribly wrong, leaving Bath beaten 22-20 and facing an uphill struggle to qualify from a group that also includes Champions Cup holders Leinster.
Burns subsequently tweeted an apology to his team-mates and Bath supporters, while also describing the late horror show as “an ultimate low”.
And Bath captain Rhys Priestland has warned his team-mates there will be no more celebrating before tries are scored this season.
Priestland believes Bath’s early celebrations must be stamped out, with Burns’ blunder coming just six weeks after Bath full-back Tom Homer was guilty of not putting the ball down when over the line during a 17-10 Gallagher Premiership loss to Bristol.
Bath centre Willison said: “Fred put his hand up as soon as we came into the (post-match) huddle. It’s important we get behind him.
“He is always the guy that is training first and finishing last. We will move on, and it is important we look forward to Wasps next Saturday.
“He said sorry in the huddle, that’s pretty obvious. He is gutted.
“I was right in behind it, and I was just trying to encourage him to put it down. I don’t think anyone is going to be as despondent as Fred.”
Burns, meanwhile, tweeted: “Love this sport for the highs and the lows. Today was an ultimate low and a mistake I’ll learn from. I’ll continue to give my best as I always do. Lastly just apologies to the boys and the supporters for the mistake. I’ll bounce back... thanks for the support.”
Bath will begin their preparations for a Pool One appointment with Wasps at the Ricoh Arena against a back-drop of missed chances and premature celebrations.
“It is probably something we need to speak about as a squad – celebrating before we score tries,” Priestland said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I am not pointing the finger at Freddie. He hasn’t cost us the game, we weren’t good enough.
“But as a squad, I just can’t believe we celebrate before we put the ball down.
“I honestly don’t know what boys think they are going to gain by doing it. For me that is not negotiable. We can’t do that again this season.
“Freddie is a big character, and he is going to bounce back. I hope he comes into training with the swagger he always brings.”
PA
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