Tommy Freeman, a dynamic force for both the British and Irish Lions and England, is contemplating a permanent shift to centre position 13, stirring interest across both his club, Northampton Saints, and the national team. Having flirted with the midfield in recent seasons, Freeman's potential as a centre became glaringly apparent following his performance in England's commanding 68-14 Six Nations victory over Wales.
Freeman's venture into the midfield isn’t a fleeting experiment. His first significant outing at centre during the 2023/24 Premiership Cup against Cambridge hinted at his capability, with the season tallying up 12 starts and three tries in this role. Despite his limited opportunities last season due to injuries in the squad necessitating his presence on the wing, Freeman is eager to explore his prospects at 13.
"I think there’s more of a focus on 13; that’s definitely an option,”
he said at the PREM Rugby launch, underscoring his readiness to train more intensively in this position.
However, balancing club and country commitments poses a challenge, particularly under the terms of his Enhanced EPS contract which gives England greater control over his deployment. Despite this, Freeman noted the alignment between Northampton and the national team concerning his playing time in midfield.
"Northampton and England are pretty aligned; they’ll give each other a lot of feedback. But, at the end of the day, Saints have me signed as a winger, and if they want me to play there, then I will,"
Freeman expressed, acknowledging the flexibility required by team needs and injury situations.
Analyzing the strategic sense behind Freeman’s potential shift, it’s clear that England’s evolving attack strategy under Lee Blackett’s guidance as the full-time attack coach could greatly benefit from Freeman’s skill set at 13. His prowess is not just in handling the ball but also in making impactful charges from the wing, which would be invaluable in the centre role. Moreover, the transition could alleviate some pressure on Steve Borthwick, given the strength on the wings with emerging talents like Tom Roebuck and the return of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso from injury setbacks.
With the depth at centre not as robust, Freeman’s youth and capabilities could see him locking down this position, preparing him and England for a solid run in the upcoming 2027 World Cup. His shift to 13 not only aligns with immediate tactical needs but also sets a strategic foundation for the future, ensuring his best rugby years contribute maximally to England’s ambitions on the global stage.
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Tommy Freeman, a dynamic force for both the British and Irish Lions and England, is contemplating a permanent shift to centre position 13, stirring interest across both his club, Northampton Saints, and the national team. Having flirted with the midfield in recent seasons, Freeman's potential as a centre became glaringly apparent following his performance in England's commanding 68-14 Six Nations victory over Wales.
Freeman's venture into the midfield isn’t a fleeting experiment. His first significant outing at centre during the 2023/24 Premiership Cup against Cambridge hinted at his capability, with the season tallying up 12 starts and three tries in this role. Despite his limited opportunities last season due to injuries in the squad necessitating his presence on the wing, Freeman is eager to explore his prospects at 13.
"I think there’s more of a focus on 13; that’s definitely an option,”
he said at the PREM Rugby launch, underscoring his readiness to train more intensively in this position.However, balancing club and country commitments poses a challenge, particularly under the terms of his Enhanced EPS contract which gives England greater control over his deployment. Despite this, Freeman noted the alignment between Northampton and the national team concerning his playing time in midfield.
"Northampton and England are pretty aligned; they’ll give each other a lot of feedback. But, at the end of the day, Saints have me signed as a winger, and if they want me to play there, then I will,"
Freeman expressed, acknowledging the flexibility required by team needs and injury situations.Analyzing the strategic sense behind Freeman’s potential shift, it’s clear that England’s evolving attack strategy under Lee Blackett’s guidance as the full-time attack coach could greatly benefit from Freeman’s skill set at 13. His prowess is not just in handling the ball but also in making impactful charges from the wing, which would be invaluable in the centre role. Moreover, the transition could alleviate some pressure on Steve Borthwick, given the strength on the wings with emerging talents like Tom Roebuck and the return of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso from injury setbacks.
With the depth at centre not as robust, Freeman’s youth and capabilities could see him locking down this position, preparing him and England for a solid run in the upcoming 2027 World Cup. His shift to 13 not only aligns with immediate tactical needs but also sets a strategic foundation for the future, ensuring his best rugby years contribute maximally to England’s ambitions on the global stage.