Tommy Freeman's Midfield Transformation: England's Strategic Gamble
In a surprising tactical move, Tommy Freeman, widely regarded as England's premier wing, has been retained at outside centre for the upcoming Six Nations clash against Scotland. This decision comes despite the return to fitness of specialist centre Ollie Lawrence, highlighting coach Steve Borthwick's long-term vision for rebuilding England's midfield options.
Freeman, who scored a try in England's opening victory over Wales, has now extended his remarkable streak to seven consecutive Six Nations matches with a try. His performance in the centres against Wales showcased both promise and areas for development, as Borthwick continues to experiment with his backline configuration.
The Lions Connection and England's Evolving Backline
A curious anomaly emerged at the start of this year's Six Nations: not a single player from the nine different individuals who started in the back three during last year's British and Irish Lions tour to Australia wore jerseys 11, 14, or 15 for their respective nations in the opening round. Injuries, bench roles, and selection decisions left Tommy Freeman as the sole outlier—starting for England, but in the unfamiliar position of outside centre.
Even with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso ruled out for likely the remainder of the tournament and Ollie Lawrence back fit, Borthwick has resisted shifting Freeman back to the wing. Instead, he trusts Freeman to partner with Northampton clubmate Fraser Dingwall in the centres for the trip to Edinburgh. This move aligns with Freeman's expressed desire after returning from the Lions tour to play more often at outside centre, a position where his physicality and decision-making are highly valued by the England coaching staff.
Freeman's Impact and England's Tactical Adjustments
Against Wales, Freeman demonstrated his value in the midfield with powerful carries that consistently won the gainline. From early set pieces, his ability to break tackles and drive forward provided crucial momentum, leading directly to scoring opportunities. One notable carry saw him blast through three Welsh defenders, gaining ten yards and setting the tone for England's attacking play.
Defensively, Freeman is praised for his lateral mobility and high work-rate, making him a preferred fit in the 13 channel. While Wales did not fully test this aspect, Scotland's Huw Jones and a likely recalled Blair Kinghorn will pose a sterner challenge. Freeman's versatility remains an asset; his superb finish for England's final try against Wales highlighted his enduring prowess on the wing, even as he adapts to a new role.
Team Dynamics and Selection Decisions
England's improved wing depth has facilitated this positional shift, with Tom Roebuck emerging as a force on the right and Henry Arundell's return from France adding X-factor. Borthwick had intended to use Freeman more at 13 during the autumn internationals, but injuries to both Roebuck and Freeman himself disrupted those plans.
For the match against Scotland, captain Maro Itoje returns to the starting side, replacing Alex Coles, while Jamie George moves to the bench with Luke Cowan-Dickie preferred as the starting hooker. The bench also features versatile options like Ben Earl, who can cover midfield, and Fin Smith, offering a possible 12 option among the replacements.
England XV to face Scotland in Edinburgh (Saturday 14 February, 4.40pm GMT): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Ollie Chessum; 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 George Ford; 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 13 Tommy Freeman, 14 Tom Roebuck; 15 Freddie Steward. Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Fin Smith.
This selection underscores Borthwick's confidence in Freeman's adaptability and the strategic depth of England's squad as they aim to build on their opening victory in the Six Nations.
