Tommy Freeman's Mental Transformation Ahead of Six Nations Campaign
As England's Six Nations campaign looms on the horizon, one player stands poised to make a significant impact for Steve Borthwick's side. Tommy Freeman, the versatile Northampton Saints back, has undergone a remarkable transformation since his international debut in 2022, evolving into what many now consider a genuine Test-match animal.
The Secret to Handling International Pressure
Freeman attributes his recent success to a fundamental shift in mindset. "It's to do with thinking a lot less," he reveals. "When you've got that mentality of trying to impress coaches and chasing the ball everywhere, sometimes you get a bit lost. Now I know the ball's going to come and I just play rugby."
This philosophical approach has allowed the 24-year-old to thrive under the intense scrutiny of international rugby. "Yes it's big pressure, yes it's 80,000 people watching, but at the end of the day it's just rugby," Freeman states with the confidence of a player who has started all three British & Irish Lions Tests in Australia last summer.
Versatility and Adaptability as Key Assets
Freeman's ability to cover multiple positions – primarily wing but also outside-centre and full-back – makes him particularly valuable to both club and country. His recent experience at outside-centre against Scarlets taught him valuable lessons in patience and discipline. "At 13 sometimes you don't get as many opportunities," he explains. "When they come you've got to make the most of them. There's some cues I've picked up – foot speed, control – that you've got to look out for."
This adaptability, combined with his prodigious strength, pace, ball-handling skills, work-rate, and game intelligence, creates a formidable package that England will rely upon throughout the championship.
The England Camp: Continuity and Excellence
Freeman speaks enthusiastically about the current England setup as the squad prepares for their Six Nations campaign. "It's a great squad with the same faces, which is always good," he notes, highlighting the benefits of selection continuity under Borthwick. "You're around similar people, playing what you're used to, and really getting to know the connections with those players."
The facilities at Pennyhill Park receive particular praise from the Northampton star. "It's an awesome place to go with the facilities and everything: it's the top of the top and you're with the best players in the country," Freeman enthuses. He also notes significant improvements in the squad's ability to switch off between sessions, mentioning activities like darts that help maintain balance during intense training periods.
Club Ambitions Before International Focus
Before diving into England's Six Nations camp, Freeman faces a crucial Premiership clash with Sale Sharks. "They're a physical bunch and we haven't won there for a while so we've got a big challenge ahead," he acknowledges. The match represents an important opportunity for Northampton to maintain their position at the top of the Premiership table.
Freeman's development mirrors that of his club side, with both displaying the kind of effervescent form that could see them challenging for honours on multiple fronts. His journey from a player who "was not quite ready for international rugby" in 2022 to a Lions Test starter demonstrates remarkable progression.
Looking Ahead to France and Beyond
With France installed as tournament favourites, England's final fixture at Stade de France in seven weeks could potentially decide the championship. Freeman's approach to this pressure reflects his matured outlook. "You need to relax and do what you do at your club," he advises younger players facing similar challenges.
As England prepare for warm-weather training in Girona before settling into their Pennyhill Park base, Freeman's blend of physical attributes and mental clarity positions him as a crucial component in Borthwick's plans. His evolution from promising talent to established international serves as testament to the power of simplified thinking in high-pressure environments.
The Six Nations represents not just another tournament, but a key staging post ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup. For Tommy Freeman, it provides another opportunity to demonstrate how thinking less has become the secret to performing more on rugby's biggest stages.
