I struggled after Lions - without realising it

ENGLAND CENTRE FREEMAN ON HIS SLUMP AFTER STINT ON TOUR DOWN UNDER

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ENGLAND centre Tommy Freeman has revealed that an intervention from his Northampton coaches helped him through a slump following the British and Irish Lions tour.

Freeman started all three Tests in the 2-1 series victory over Australia that concluded on August 2 - alongside Maro Itoje and Tom Curry one of only three Englishman to do so - and still felt the effects when the new season began.

While physically he was recharged by the mandatory five-week rest period that followed the tour, Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson and head coach Sam Vesty spotted that his “mental state wasn’t in the best spot”.

A reduction in training and matches enabled the 24-year-old to negotiate the early part of 2025-26 and he went on to take part in England’s autumn campaign until he was affected by a hamstring niggle.

“I struggled without realising it. 1 had the five weeks off, body felt good, but my mental state wasn’t in the best spot,” Freeman said.

“When you go on tours and go away for a long time, when you come back it’s almost ‘right, you’re done!