Northampton Saints star Tommy Freeman hopeful of England call-up for Six Nations

Northampton Saints back Tommy Freeman is hopeful of a return to the England side this Six Nations after a rich vein of form for his club.

Freeman-who has already won two caps for his country-was part of Steve Borthwick’s wider World Cup squad last summer, however he was not selected to go to the tournament in France.

Speaking to members of the media yesterday ahead of his side’s clash against Exeter Chiefs, Freeman detailed that conversations have taken place with Steve Borthwick ahead of the Six Nations this Spring.

“We’ve had a few conversations,” he said. “There were a few work-ons post World Cup camp that he made me go away and work on; so we’ve remained in touch but it’s all pretty quiet at the moment. Hopefully I hear from him very soon.”

Freeman has previously featured on the wing for England, however if he is recalled to Borthwick’s squad he could be wearing 13.

This season, the Saints back has shifted across into outside centre, however he opened up about finding it tough at first.

“It was tough at the start,” he said. “I probably struggled defensively at the start.”

Freeman has quickly found his feet in this new position though and has quickly showed what an asset he can be in the centres; and arguably his best performance came in the Saints recently Champions Cup victory over Glasgow as he was named Man of the Match.

Being in the 13 channel means Freeman is often in different areas of the pitch than he would be as a winger, and he told the media how much he enjoys working in these new spaces

“I feel like I’m popping up in different spaces and getting my hand on the ball a lot more. I’ve really enjoyed it and hopefully I can get a few more games there.”

He added: “It’s something I can add to my game. I’m getting good knowledge of being on the wing and understanding the 13 role and vice versa. It’s something that I obviously want to add to my game and maybe in the future for sure it’s a position I’d be looking to get after.”

Freeman’s new ability to cover both wing and 13 could make him an even more enticing player for Steve Borthwick, especially following the departure of Joe Marchant to France; and Freeman highlighted this ‘plays into his favour’.

“He’s quite happy with versatility, so that played into my favour. Having full-back and wing in the locker is definitely adding to the strength and now being at centre is a big one.”

Whilst this puts him in a good position to be called up, Freeman opened up on one of the parts of his game Borthwick wanted him to work on.

“The main focus I took from Steve’s chats was the high-ball focus; making that a super-strength of mine, which I will continue to do and hopefully not give him any excuse not to pick me.”

 

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