England's Winning Mentality: Embracing Swagger for Six Nations Glory
Tommy Freeman has declared that England will approach their Six Nations campaign with renewed confidence and "a bit of swagger," as Steve Borthwick's side aims to end their title drought. The Northampton Saints star, who lines up at outside-centre against Wales this weekend, believes the current squad's mindset has transformed significantly from previous campaigns.
Building on an Impressive Winning Streak
England enter the championship on the back of an eleven-match winning run, creating substantial expectation among supporters and pundits alike. Freeman acknowledges this pressure but views it as an opportunity rather than a burden. The team's remarkable turnaround began with their dominant 68-14 victory against Wales in Cardiff last year, which Freeman describes as the moment England truly realised their potential.
"There is an element of confidence but I don't think there is any complacency," Freeman explained. "The lads are still learning and still wanting to get better. Every week is a different week and a different competition."
Strategic Shift Under Borthwick's Leadership
The transformation in England's approach has been orchestrated by head coach Steve Borthwick and his coaching team. Freeman highlights how the mindset has evolved from defensive preservation to proactive dominance throughout matches. This philosophical change represents a significant departure from England's previous tendency to struggle in closing stages of tight contests.
"There's a difference in mindset," Freeman elaborated. "From when you're winning it's to prevent them from winning rather than when we're winning to keep winning. We probably did everything we can to not let them score whereas it's let's carry on doing everything we can to score more points."
Captain's Ambition and Team Unity
Captain Jamie George has expressed his frustration with finishing second, reflecting the squad's determination to secure their first Six Nations title since 2020. The Rugby Football Union's strategic plan explicitly tasks Borthwick with winning international competitions consistently, adding institutional pressure to the team's ambitions.
Freeman, who made his England debut in 2022, has yet to experience championship success with the national team but recognises the perfect opportunity presented by their opening fixture. Wales arrive at Twickenham having lost their last eleven Six Nations matches, though England remain focused on their own performance rather than their opponents' recent struggles.
Cultivating a Winning Environment
The atmosphere within the England camp appears transformed according to Freeman, who describes it as "unbelievable to be around." Strong personal connections and continuity in selection have created what he calls "a really good spot to be in" as they prepare for the championship.
"That's something Steve is always talking about, get used to lifting silverware," Freeman revealed. "We want to be winning as much as possible, and that's the end game. Games look better than others and the performance can be different and not as good but at the end of the day, getting the win is the most important thing."
Looking Beyond Immediate Challenges
Borthwick has already challenged his team to remain in grand slam contention until the final weekend, when they face France in Paris on March 14th. The coach has encouraged supporters to "flood across the Channel" for what could be a championship-deciding encounter, demonstrating the ambitious targets set for this campaign.
As England prepare to face Wales, Freeman's message is clear: this team intends to play with confidence and purpose, embracing the expectation that comes with their winning streak while maintaining the hunger that has driven their improvement under Borthwick's leadership.
