Familiar faces helping Freeman feel at home
AMBITIOUS flanker James Freeman has expressed his delight at being reunited with Matt Kvesic at title holders Exeter as the two former Worcester academy products battle to break into one of the most competitive back rows in the Premiership.
Freeman has taken the long road back to the topflight via stints at Loughborough University and Championship outfit Jersey, while England openside Kvesic spent four years at Gloucester before swapping Kingsholm for Sandy Park this summer.
However, they once again share a common purpose, with Freeman, 26, telling The Rugby
Paper: “There are not too many weaknesses in Exeter’s back row but it’s great to be back with Matt again and the competition is something we’re both relishing.
“It’s gone full circle for us really. He’s a bit younger but we were in Worcester’s academy together and it’s been nice to have some familiar faces around at Chiefs with Matt and Harry Williams, who I know from playing with at Loughborough University.
“Matt’s a good bloke and a great athlete who’s looking very fresh and fit. He’s still only 25, which is ridiculous when you consider how experienced he is now, so although he’s been unlucky with England I’ve no doubt he’s got good years ahead.
“There’s fantastic competition at Chiefs but that means there are many great players to learn from like Julian Salvi, Thomas Waldrom, Dave Dennis, so I’m just focussing on having a really good preseason and being involved in the warm-up games.”
Freeman added: “Chiefs seemed a good fit. They’re a very physical team with a dominant pack, which as a forward is something you want to be part of.
“It’s similar to Jersey where we had a dominant pack in the Championship, so it’s great to come to a place where there’s lots of emphasis on the way the forwards are run.
“Having done quite a few sessions with Rob Baxter and Rob Hunter you can see that culture rubbing off and I’m very pleased to be a part of it.”
Freeman is one of four former Jersey forwards stepping up to the Premiership this summer, with prop Simon Kerrod and lock Pierce Phillips joining Worcester and flanker Gary Graham moving to Newcastle, while back rower Nick Haining is now at Bristol.
Freeman has nothing but praise for his former side, who can also take credit for developing Williams before the recently capped England prop left in 2015.
“Jersey pushed for the top four for the last two seasons and made the B&I Cup final last season so they’re making big steps in the right direction,” Freeman said.
“It’s credit to the system they’ve developed under (rugby director) Harvey Biljon that they’ve had so many of their players move to the Premiership.
“Steve Boden had quite a big impact on the forwards there before he moved to Leeds and you’ve only got to look at the impact Harry Williams has made. He’s really kicked on with Exeter and England but Jersey played a big part in that.
“Harry’s a colossal figure at Chiefs and if you’re looking for footsteps to follow in as a new arrival here, there’s no better example than him.”
Thirteen of Exeter’s Premiership-winning matchday 23 had played Championship rugby before and Freeman is not there to make the numbers up either.
He added: “I played No.6 or seven throughout my time at Loughborough and Jersey, so I can mix and match and do whatever Exeter want. If I do everything I can that will put me in a position to compete and we’ll see at the end of August.”