Tommy can rock on for England insists Vesty
TOMMY Freeman has got what it takes at Test level if Eddie Jones gives him his international debut for England against Tonga on Saturday.
Sam Vesty, the Northampton Saints attack coach since 2018, saw Freeman come through the club academy and says the 20-year-old won’t be fazed if he has to step up.
Freeman who can play full-back or wing faces plenty of competition for a back three spot with George Furbank, Jonny May, Freddie Steward, Adam Radwan, Max Malins and Joe Marchant all in the mix.
But Vesty reckons Freeman, who graduated to the Saints senior squad in 2019, is ready if Jones gives him the nod.
“He is such an enigma with the ball, such a good runner, footballer and he knows where the space is. He has lovely hands, feet and lovely soft skills. He takes everything in his stride – nothing is too much for him really,” said Vesty.
“I have seen him do it on the training pitch all the time. When he was in the academy he did those brilliant bits but when he first came in he probably had too many sloppy bits. Over the last few years that has really turned around where he has still got those great bits but also his basics are backing him up so he is a really consistent player.”
Jones said he had been keeping an eye on Freeman for two years when he parachuted him into the squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.
The Australian said Freeman was “big and strapping and has good pace and a good feel for the game” and Vesty was not shocked at his call-up.
“We heard his name had been touted around a little bit. He was scoring tries and making breaks as a 19-year-old in the Premiership which is no mean feat so he should be knocking around there,” he said.
Prop Alex Waller, who has seen it all in 12 years as a first-teamer at Franklin’s Gardens, added: “He is a character. He is an interesting character, he is quite confident for a young boy.
“He doesn’t speak too much but he is not afraid to get stuck in with a joke or give a little bit of chat out. He has been pretty good for us the last couple of seasons, a bit of a breakthrough player, and has forced his way into the first team.
“Hopefully he gets capped and shows what he can do on the big stage. He is pretty calm and collected and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes. He has got some pretty senior boys in tHe squad from our club, in Courtney Lawes, George Furbank and Lewis Ludlam.”