"Lucky" - Freddie Burns suffers horror leg break in Super Rugby

The game ended with a 28-7 victory for the hosts, but Burns and his teammates were left reeling after a collision left his foot in an unnaturally bent position.

This injury occurred just weeks after joining the New Zealand outfit from Leicester Tigers. Taking to social media to update his fans, Burns expressed his determination to "recover well" and return to playing as soon as possible.

Gutted to be facing a bit of time on the sideline with an anterior tibial plateau fracture but these things happen in rugby," he wrote on Instagram.

"Count myself pretty lucky after watching the footage back. Just got to recover well, attack the rehab and with a bit of luck be running around again by the end of April!"

Scroll along Burns post to watch the incident.

Willis has reportedly agreed to stay with the French club, and has put pen to paper for an additional year with Toulouse. That means he will be, under current rules, not be available for the 2024 Six Nations.

According to reports from French rugby outlet Midi Olympique, Willis also has the clause in his contract to add an extra year on top of the agreed one season, later in the future. Willis moved to the South of France in November of last year, following the financial collapse of Wasps in the Gallagher Premiership.  

The 26-year-old has been so far impressing in his home, and has nestled his way into the starting back row. After almost two years side-lined from the international scene with a serious re-occurring knee injury, Willis has made his comeback to the England squad, with Steve Borthwick also favouring Willis in the back row. 

Marking his return with a Six Nations try against Italy, two years after he suffered the horrific injury in the very same fixture, Willis is back and better than ever. However, England are in the midst of re-affirming their eligibility laws, with Willis’ England future up for debate. 

Many of England’s fringe players are opting to move to France, with the mass exodus at Exeter Chiefs seeing numerous stars depart due to salary cap restrictions. Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Harry Williams are all preparing for a summer move to Montpellier, and flying winger Jack Nowell was yesterday confirmed for a transfer to La Rochelle.

Possible replacement: Ted Hill

If we are being honest, did anyone see the veteran tightwad making an international comeback in 2023?

His recall was defiantly deserved following a stellar two years with Tigers, but it seems unlikely he will still be part of the. international set up in 12 months time.

Possible replacement: Harry Williams

The England centre’s existing deal with the club concludes at the end of the season, and it is believed that he has received offers from teams in France and Japan.

“I’ve spoken to Manu and there is something on the table when before there was very little,” Sale boss Alex Sanderson said.

“The ball is more in his court than ours.”

Possible replacement: Ollie Lawrence

Saints have confirmed that the forward will depart the Club at the end of the 2022/23 season. Reports suggest he will join Toulon.

The 27-year-old lock has pulled on the Black, Green and Gold jersey 115 times to date, starting 98 matches for Northampton and scoring 17 tries so far.

As a coaching group, we are very proud of the progress Dave has made during his time at Saints,” said Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.

“He arrived in Northampton as a 21-year-old without many Super Rugby appearances to his name. He will leave as a fully-fledged England international and a proven performer in the Gallagher Premiership, one of the most attritional and competitive leagues in the world.

“You always want to create an environment for players where they can work hard, thrive, win matches and be successful on the international stage. Sometimes, that means players become attractive propositions for other clubs.

“Dave leaves to pursue a playing opportunity in France next season. It’s disappointing to lose a player of his calibre, and we were surprised Dave wanted to leave the Club at this time.

“But he is of course a professional, and will be putting all his efforts in his final months in Northampton to ensure the team is as successful as possible. We will wish him well after that.”

Possible replacement: Hugh Tizard

Harlequins have confirmed that the centre will leave the Club at the end of the season.

Marchant will depart the Club following nine years at The Stoop, after joining the Senior Academy set-up in 2014 and making his senior debut the following year.

The 26-year-old back soon became a regular feature within the starting XV, earning over 130 appearances in the Famous Quarters to date and being an integral part of the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership winning side.

Marchant went on to achieve international recognition with England as well as working with Harlequins to develop a short-term loan spell with Super Rugby outfit the Auckland Blues in 2020 to develop his experience and skills. 

Director of Rugby Performance Billy Millard said: “We will be sad to see Joe leave us at the end of the season - it’s been an absolute pleasure working with him over the last few years and watching him progress from our Academy. We had positive contract renewal discussions, and we would have loved for him to continue at The Stoop, but appreciate that he was given another opportunity that we could not compete with.

“Joe is one of the Academy’s more recent success stories, and we are proud that 69% of our current Men’s squad have come through it. This is fundamental to our DNA and we are really confident of the talent coming through this channel in the future.

“We remain on great terms with Joe and wish him well for the future. There will always be a home and place where he can come back to in the future, but for now, we look forward to the remainder of the season together.”

Possible replacement: Guy Porter