Steve Borthwick’s selection for England’s visit to Cardiff is the best he’s made in his time in charge. Some have said it’s risky, but I think it’s great.
I’ve been consistent in campaigning via this column for Tommy Freeman to play at outside centre at Test level and we will finally see him in that position against Wales.
I’m convinced Freeman is going to be a world-class No 13. There seems to be a lot of debate about him moving into midfield from the wing. But there is no debate for me.
Well done to Borthwick for going for broke and in such a big fixture too. Of course, the cruel injury suffered by Ollie Lawrence against Italy has necessitated a centre change.
Would Borthwick have played Freeman at 13 if Lawrence was still fit? Maybe. Probably not. The reality is we’ll never know. What we do know, is Freeman is playing there this weekend and that this could be the start of a new dawn for English rugby. It’s not even a gamble for Borthwick to make in my eyes.
Freeman has played a lot at outside centre for his club Northampton, so it’s not as if he’ll be out of position.And England’s back-line at Principality Stadium will have three other Saints in it too, so there is familiarity and cohesion there. For too long now, England’s centre pairing hasn’t been right. It’s been holding the team back and, if I’m honest, I’m not sure the team has ever fully replaced Will Greenwood and Mike Tindall who were the midfield glue 20 years ago.
Steve Borthwick has made the bold call to pick Tommy Freeman at No 13 this weekend
Freeman has thrived on the wing for England, scoring in all four of their Six Nations matches
But Freeman has the pace and power to be a major asset for England as a centre
For me, Freeman is a genuine 13 because he provides out-and-out pace and power in the wide channels. To be a team capable of beating the best sides in the world like South Africa, New Zealand, France and Ireland, England have to have a side that can play at breakneck speed. Having Freeman in midfield will allow them to do exactly that.
Moving Freeman to centre is a win-win. It allows him to play in what I think is his best position and also allows England to bring in another winger.
England are blessed with lots of great wingers. But they don’t have a raft of brilliant centres, so moving forward we can see the likes of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ollie Sleightholme in the wide positions. This way, you can get that pair and Freeman all in the same team. Now that’s a back-line with speed to burn!
In Cardiff on Saturday, England need to be clever with how they use Freeman. He’s brilliant at teaming up with Fin Smith and collecting the No 10’s cross-kicks.
A clever team moves the opposition around, so just because Freeman is wearing the 13 jersey, it doesn’t mean he can’t occasionally pop up on the wing.
Doing that will keep Wales guessing. And Smith can still kick to Freeman consistently. It’s a great weapon for England because Freeman is so good in the air.
If the kick from Smith is on the money, nine times out of 10 Freeman will score given his ability to jump.
It’s very impressive that Freeman has scored in every game of this Six Nations. In anyone’s mind, he is a brilliant player who should be touring with the Lions this summer.
I’ve no doubt Freeman will thrive in Cardiff. Moving forward, I’d also like to see him alongside Smith as a centre pairing option.
That would mean bringing Marcus Smith back into his favoured position at fly-half. The two Smiths at 10 and 12 with Freeman at 13 has potential to be a truly brilliant axis.
Fin Smith might not like that idea, but I think he could be a great inside centre because his distribution is brilliant and he has shown he is a really strong and physical defender.
I would like to see Freeman paired with Fin Smith in the centres in the future
This would allow Marcus Smith to move back to fly-half and create an exciting 10-12-13 axis
Beating Wales won’t be easy, but I’m backing England to do just that by a margin of seven to eight points. Such a scenario won’t be enough to win the Six Nations.
But if Borthwick’s team end the 2025 Championship with four wins from five matches, then there can be no doubt it would have been a successful campaign.
England are heading in the right direction. A defeat in Cardiff would reverse that movement, but I don’t think it will happen. Freeman will be the centre of attention.
He is a vital player for England’s future and midfield is where he should stay.
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Jack Crowley
Ireland were blown away by France in round four. They’ll beat Italy with something to spare, but I don’t think they’ll win the title. All my focus for the game in Rome will be on Jack Crowley.
He will undoubtedly have been disappointed – and that’s an understatement – to have played second fiddle as Irish No 10 to Sam Prendergast in this Six Nations. So, he’ll be out to prove a point now he’s got the starting fly-half jersey.
It’s a big call because I thought Ireland were firmly behind Prendergast. Crowley has also been linked with a move to Leicester, so he’ll want to make a big impression and show he’s the man.
Jack Crowley will have a point to prove after playing second fiddle to Sam Prendergast
Tommy Freeman
Freeman will be helped a lot in Wales by playing alongside his club team-mate Fraser Dingwall. You can’t underplay that.
Cardiff will be Freeman’s 20th cap. So, while he is not a seasoned veteran, he is also experienced at international level now. It means I think he will take it all in his stride.
One thing he will have to be aware of is his communication. At centre, you have to talk a lot more than you do on the wing. And that will be even harder in the cauldron of the Principality Stadium where it’s difficult to hear yourself think let alone speak!
Freeman is going to have a great game. Of that, I’m sure.
Gael Fickou
France are favourites for the title after routing Ireland. And they should have too much for Scotland, especially in Paris.
Fickou is key to their team. But, he hasn’t played in this Six Nations at all due to injury so for him to be recalled for a Championship decider is a big call by Fabien Galthie.
There is no doubting Fickou’s experience and pedigree. But if he isn’t quite at the races, then Scotland can and must look to exploit him. Huw Jones has had a great Six Nations and he needs to test Fickou early, the same with Duhan van der Merwe.
If Fickou doesn’t last the course, France could be in trouble as they’ve only got one back on the bench!
