Tommy Freeman has penned a new long-term contract that sees the fullback remain at Northampton Saints beyond the end of the 2022/23 season. The 21-year-old Saints Academy graduate, also comfortable playing on the wing, burst onto the senior stage back in 2020 and a meteoric rise through the Club’s ranks culminated this summer in two England caps during the Red Rose’s successful tour of Australia.The versatile back has already notched up 17 tries in just 35 appearances in Black, Green and Gold, with 14 of those coming in 18 games during the 2021/22 campaign.That blistering form saw Freeman scoop Saints’ Young Player of the Season Award, having been named the Club’s Breakthrough Player of the Season the year beforehand – and with his career still in its infancy, Northampton’s Director of Rugby Phil Dowson is confident Freeman can go from strength to strength at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.“Tommy is a bona fide freak of an athlete,” he said. “He’s tall, big and fast, but he’s also ludicrously skilful as well, and those things combined add up to a special player.“He’s still young and has a lot to learn in terms of his positioning and defending, but regardless of that he’s still good enough to be playing international rugby for England at the moment, and that speaks volumes.
Tommy Freeman has penned a new long-term contract that sees the fullback remain at Northampton Saints beyond the end of the 2022/23 season.
The 21-year-old Saints Academy graduate, also comfortable playing on the wing, burst onto the senior stage back in 2020 and a meteoric rise through the Club’s ranks culminated this summer in two England caps during the Red Rose’s successful tour of Australia.
The versatile back has already notched up 17 tries in just 35 appearances in Black, Green and Gold, with 14 of those coming in 18 games during the 2021/22 campaign.
That blistering form saw Freeman scoop Saints’ Young Player of the Season Award, having been named the Club’s Breakthrough Player of the Season the year beforehand – and with his career still in its infancy, Northampton’s Director of Rugby Phil Dowson is confident Freeman can go from strength to strength at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
“Tommy is a bona fide freak of an athlete,” he said. “He’s tall, big and fast, but he’s also ludicrously skilful as well, and those things combined add up to a special player.
“He’s still young and has a lot to learn in terms of his positioning and defending, but regardless of that he’s still good enough to be playing international rugby for England at the moment, and that speaks volumes.
