Freddie Burns has been made to look a fool after his clanger cost Bath victory against Toulouse on Saturday, according to the club legend Jeremy Guscott, who also described the mistake as “unforgivable”.
Burns looked certain to score the match-winning try in the dying minutes of the game – all he had to do was dot down under the posts – but as he celebrated prematurely he was caught unawares by Toulouse’s Maxime Médard, who dislodged the ball from his hand.
It capped a nightmare few minutes for Burns, who had only just missed a straightforward penalty, and ultimately cost Bath dearly with Toulouse edging home 22-20. After the match the Bath director of rugby, Todd Blackadder, said there was “immense disappointment” but added “now is the time to rally behind [Freddie]” while the captain, Rhys Priestland, backed Burns but urged his side to stop celebrating before scoring tries.
Quick guide
But was Burns’ mistake as bad as these?
Cycling Slovenia’s Luka Pibernik celebrating a Giro d’Italia stage win at Messina in 2017 … 6km too early.
Athletics Steve Ovett waving to the crowd as he finished the 5,000m at Crystal Palace in 1980 – and being overtaken by Ireland’s John Treacy.
Snowboarding America’s Lindsey Jacobellis “having fun” with a three-second lead in the Scowboard Cross at the 2006 Winter Olympics. She fell, and Tanja Frieden took gold.
Athletics Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter celebrating … after 4,600m of the 5,000m at the 2018 Euros.
Rugby league In 2017 Salford’s Ryan Lannon bursting through against Hull KR, waving and pointing to his badge excitedly. He was tackled.
Football Satri Angthong’s keeper running to celebrate a shootout penalty hitting the bar in the Thailand Cup against Bangkok Sports Club … only for the ball to spin back into the unguarded goal.
Guscott told BBC 5 Live: “I don’t feel sorry for him. Somewhere in my soul there is a minuscule bit of empathy for him. The kick in front of the posts was easy enough for a man of his talents, and getting the ball knocked out of the hand is unforgivable. Rather than thinking it’s done and dusted, he’s been made a little bit of a fool of.”
Bath now travel to Wasps in their second Champions Cup match on Saturday when defeat will all but end hopes of qualification for both teams after Leinster’s rampant victory against Dai Young’s side on Friday.