Freddie Burns has a worse case of losers today than you do.

The Bath and England fullback is being panned by rugby fans around the world for his clanger during this weekend’s match against Toulouse.

The French outfit ended up winning 22-20, thanks in large part to two howlers by Burns. Firstly, he missed a 74th-minute penalty from right in front of the posts, which would have given Bath the lead, and moments later he was guilty of an even worse offence.

Sorry, Freddy, but we’re going to the video:

Credit to the chasing defender for never giving up, but rugby players these days love the one-hand dot down, despite the obvious dangers it presents.

Former England hooker Brian Moore had plenty to say about the incident on the Telegraph:

…showboating before you actually score the try is always a risk. There is plenty of time to do it after you have touched down, if you need to do it all. At the risk of sounding like an old git, the trend towards more elaborate celebration, especially those with advanced choreography, is getting tedious.

All we need now is for players to remove their shirts and swing them overhead, as they prance down the touchline, for the descent into chavish excess to be complete.

I should point out that, as a former hooker, Brian will always be jealous of those nimble backline players who score tries for fun.

At least the villain of the hour took the criticism on the chin:

It’s hard to watch the Freddie Burns incident and not be reminded of a rather infamous Super 12 moment from back in the day. Robbie Fleck and Deon Kayser, anyone?

Sorry, Fleckie.

[source:telegraph]