Tigers fly-half Burns escapes punishment for Mallinder incident

Leicester Tigers fly-half Freddie Burns has escaped punishment for a clash with Harry Mallinder during Saturday's east midlands derby at Franklin's Gardens.
Harry Mallinder was involved in a second-half scuffle with Freddie Burns (picture: Sharon Lucey)Harry Mallinder was involved in a second-half scuffle with Freddie Burns (picture: Sharon Lucey)
Harry Mallinder was involved in a second-half scuffle with Freddie Burns (picture: Sharon Lucey)

Burns took exception to Mallinder’s sliding challenge after the Tigers player had scored a crucial third try for his team in the 63rd minute of the match, which Leicester won 30-24.

Footage and stills appear to show Burns making contact with the eye area of Mallinder.

But the citing commissioner, Bruce Reece-Russel, the RFU’s former head of discipline, appears to have seen nothing wrong with the incident.

He had 24 hours after the game to lay charges and the RFU confirmed on Monday that nothing had been received in regards to the incident and no action was to be taken.

That means Burns will be free to play in Leicester’s Champions Cup semi-final against Racing 92 on Sunday.

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