New Saracens recruit Fergus Burke has revealed he would be open to representing either England or Scotland in the Test arena.
New Zealand-born fly-half Burke is Saracens’ choice to fill Owen Farrell’s considerable boots at Stone X Stadium next season.
The 24-year-old has excelled with the Crusaders but has not managed to break into the All Blacks picture.
Burke’s English mum and Scottish grandfather mean he already qualifies for both home nations, and the candid playmaker has no trouble admitting his desire to play Test rugby – but also conceded he has a pretty big job on his hands to prove himself in the English Premiership first.
“I do have big ambitions to play international rugby, but first things first, I need to come over here and play well for Saracens,” said Burke, confirming he would be interested in both Scotland and England.
“And then whatever happens in that space happens, it’s exciting. My mum’s English and her father’s Scottish.
“At the start of the year I didn’t have too many intentions on going elsewhere. There was a bit of chat around Glasgow, then Saracens came along at the same kind of time.
“I looked into it and decided it was the best thing for me.”
Burke helped the Crusaders win the 2022 and 2023 Super Rugby titles, but missed a large portion of the season just finished through an Achilles injury.
Back fit by the end of the season, he spearheaded the Barbarians’ 45-32 win over Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday – on the occasion of his first ever trip to London.
Burke has been hand-picked by Saracens as the direct replacement for club talisman and former England captain Farrell, who has now joined Parisian giants Racing 92.
Farrell won six Premiership and three European titles amid Saracens’ ultra successful dynasty, but now the north Londoners are building a new era.
Burke is excited but aware of the scale of that challenge, but has been grateful for the Barbarians experience to help him acclimatise to London life.
“I’m my own player but I have ultimate respect for what Owen’s done at Saracens and he will probably go down as their greatest ever player,” said Burke.
“It’s an awesome move and challenge, and I’m really looking forward to joining the club. I’ve been through something similar at the Crusaders this year with Richie Mo’unga leaving, although I’ve been injured for part of that too. So I have a little idea of what is in store.
“I haven’t spoken to Owen but I’d love to. It would be pretty cool at some point to be able to pick his brains. Hopefully I’ll be able to link up with him at some point.”
