England: Why Tommy Freeman’s move to centre makes sense as star opens up on positional switch
Tommy Freeman celebrates a try for England (front right) with an inset of Steve Borthwick (left)
British and Irish Lions and England star Tommy Freeman is open to a longer-term positional switch to 13 for both club and country.
The 24-year-old back has been dipped in and out of the midfield over the past few seasons for Northampton Saints, and notably starting at 13 in England’s 68-14 win over Wales in the Six Nations
‘I’ll go for it’
His first start in midfield came in the 2023/24 Premiership Cup campaign against Championship side Cambridge, and added a further 11 starts to that tally across the rest of the season. Crucially, his form did not drop off in his new position, either, with him scoring three tries in those 12 starts at centre.
Freeman wasn’t afforded too many opportunities in midfield last season, with key injuries across the Northampton backline forcing him to remain out wide, but he is still very much open to the idea of moving inwards this coming campaign.
“I think there’s more of a focus on 13; that’s definitely an option,” Freeman told reporters at the PREM Rugby launch. “It was an option last year, but it’s something I’ve got to have a bit more onus on to get more training minutes there.
“If I can do that, and be trusted in the middle, then I’ll go for it.”
While Freeman has had a decent amount of gametime at 13, he is still fairly short of gametime there in recent outings. 29 of his 31 starts for both club and country last season came with 11 or 14 on his back, and aside from the sole appearance for the Saints, he notched just one further start in midfield in England’s Six Nations finale at the Principality.
If he is to make the long-term switch into midfield, he will need to taste more gametime there this season, and that is something he himself is fully aware of.
“There are obviously things in training that you can train for, but in the 60 minutes, it’s tough to get a feel for what shapes are going to be thrown at you and what the lungs are feeling like in that position.”
That then throws up a tough balance between club and country, especially with England having more control via his Enhanced EPS contract, but the back admitted Northampton and the national side are on the same page when it comes to giving him that game time in midfield this year.
“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.
“It’s also very injury-dependent, too; last year, they (Saints) would have liked me to play centre a bit more, but because Sleights (Ollie Sleightholme) and (George) Hendy had taken knocks, I was on the wing, which is fine, and that happens.
England: Ollie Lawrence boost for Steve Borthwick but no place in squad for Owen Farrell
just want to be on the pitch at the end of the day. I want to play at this ground (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham) as much as possible and represent the country. Wherever that may be and wherever that fits in, then I’m happy.
Analysis – why the move makes sense
Freeman’s potential long-term switch to the centres is certainly nothing new, with it understood that Borthwick views the Northampton Saints man as a long-term option in the centres rather than a wing, but it does seem a move that suits all parties.
With England’s attack changing drastically over the past year, and especially with Lee Blackett now taking over as full-time attack coach as well, Freeman’s skill set perfectly suits the 13 role in that system.
Even when deployed on the wing, Freeman is at his best when he’s coming off his wing to occupy the 13 channel, as that’s when he can get his hands on the ball more often and therefore make his trademark charges, so shifting him here permanently will only be a good thing. Alongside that, his power and bulk make him a good option for a potential crash ball or flat carry at the line, which England can then generate quick-ball from.
Around his own skills, too, the move does ease some of the pressure on Borthwick out wide, with the wings a real area of strength.
Tom Roebuck emerged from the Americas tour as a key man within this England side, while Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is back in the frame after a torrid spell with injuries.
Elsewhere, Ollie Sleightholme is likely to compete for a spot in Borthwick’s squad, Cadan Murley has added to his cap tally with some impressive displays on the summer tour, and Will Muir also made his long-awaited Test debut in the series win over Argentina.
In saying that, too, the depth chart at 13 is looking increasingly light, highlighted by the injury to Ollie Lawrence last year. Borthwick has also long used the Bath midfielder as a 12, with Henry Slade outside at 13, and with the Exeter man falling down the pecking order, it could give Freeman the perfect chance to come into that spot. There is some depth at 13, don’t get us wrong, with Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, Max Ojomoh, Seb Atkinson, Oscar Beard and Luke Northmore also viable options to play here, Freeman does seem the best qualified to start.
His age profile is also a big factor in shifting him to 13, too, if it is going to be his long-term position. Freeman is still only 24 years old, and has a lot of his best rugby still ahead of him, but getting him into 13 now will only help him lock that position down for years to come and allow Borthwick to put those foundations in place ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
