NORTH ROUTE

Freeman eager to emulate hero George and be a hit Down Under

- From Adam Hathaway in Dublin

TOMMY FREEMAN is aiming to do a George North when he heads south and faces the Wallabies Down Under with the British & Irish Lions.

The Northampton wing lines up for Andy Farrell’s side in their pre-trip clash with Argentina here tonight, before jetting to Australia on Saturday with North in his memory banks.

A dozen years ago, Freeman was awestruck watching the Welshman in the Lions Tests against the Aussies, when he etched his name into touring folklore. North scored in the first and third Tests of the victorious series but made himself a YouTube hit with a tackle on Wallaby wing Israel Folau in the second.

North had the ball but still managed to pick up his opposite number on his shoulder and drive him backwards before dumping him on the pitch.