WHEN Freddie Burns lined up a last-gasp drop-goal attempt at Exeter on Saturday, he thought he was taking no risk whatsoever.
The Gloucester fly-half thought the Cherry and Whites had a penalty advantage.
So with time up on the clock and Gloucester losing 40-39, he took a pot-shot at a 45-metre drop-goal.
The ball strayed wide and short, but Burns was not fussed – until, that is, referee Greg Garner failed to award a penalty.
Gareth Steenson ran the ball out of play, and Exeter won the final Premiership match of the season.
Cue head-scratching and frustration from out-half Burns, who admitted the manner of the loss will haunt him for the entire close season.
The midnight sweats will last until at least August and the start of pre-season match action then, when Burns will next have chance to pull on Cherry and White.
"It was a great game to be a part of," explained the 22-year-old, running the rule over the eight-try thriller.
"To be pipped by a couple of decisions was disappointing, but there you go.
"I thought I had a free shot if I'm honest, so I thought I would have a shot to nothing and if it didn't come off then they would come back.
"Obviously I just swung a leg at it thinking he would bring it back, he didn't, and that's that.
"So that was a chance to win it that I couldn't take, and it will haunt me for the next few months of the off-season.
"One thing this club has is great work ethic and team spirit.
"We battled well to get back into the game, after some serious questions were asked when we were 18 points down.
Burns' 99th Gloucester bow ended in frustration then, despite the Cherry and Whites racking up five tries to Exeter's three.
Steenson's seven penalty goals effectively decided the tie, with Gloucester supreme on the counter-attack but at times struggling for defensive alignment.
With 852 points in his Gloucester career, Burns has racked up a whopping 350 of those this season alone.
A place on England's tour to Argentina should surely be assured, especially with Owen Farrell off to Australia with the British Lions.
Pleased with his form, Burns said he is ready and waiting if Stuart Lancaster makes the call.
He continued: "In parts we set ourselves up for next season but clearly there were areas where we weren't good enough.
"Personally I feel like I've got my form back a little bit.
"I'm starting to make a few breaks again and move the ball around a bit, and hopefully I can take that into whatever comes my way over the summer.
"It's a good reward for us, but we should probably be disappointed we didn't make the play-offs too.
"We're learning as a team and there's a lot more to come from us for next season."
