Worcester Warriors now favourite to sign England international

The 35-year-old was in red-hot form for the Tokyo outfit, ending the regular season as both the league’s top points scorer   iconic drop goal in the 2022 Premiership Final – and with the Tigers needing more cover at 10, a reunion wouldn’t be out of the question.

and top try scorer. He capped things off in style last weekend, bagging 26 points (two tries, eight conversions) in a 61-24 demolition of Hino Red Dolphins, earning man of the match honours in the process.

That win sealed top spot with a round to spare, setting up a promotion/relegation clash with Israel Folau’s Urayasu D-Rocks – but Burns won’t be part of the journey if they go up.

Burns has spent the past three seasons in Japan but now looks set for a fresh challenge – and a return to English rugby could be on the cards.

Despite his age, the former Gloucester, Bath, Leicester and Highlanders playmaker has proven he's still got it, and with Premiership clubs facing tighter squads, a short-term deal could be a smart pick-up.

He remains a cult hero at Leicester for that

However, RUCK understands Worcester Warriors are leading the race for his signature. The ambitious Championship side are assembling a squad with serious top-tier aspirations and could offer the perfect homecoming for the Bath-born No.10.