‘I struggled without realising’: Freeman reveals mental toll of heavy workload

England wing made 34 appearances during 2024-25 ‘It’s a lot of rugby. I could have managed my time better’ England’s Tommy Freeman has revealed the extent of his mental struggles after the victorious British & Irish Lions tour of Australia at the end of a season in which he exceeded the player welfare limits for the number of appearances made. Freeman made 34 appearances last season – 19 for Northampton, nine for England and six for the Lions – and has spoken of a “built-up anxiety” as a result of the workload. The mandated limit is 30 but players were given dispensation for the Lions tour on the proviso they were given five weeks off upon returning from Australia and missed the first two rounds of the 2025-26 season. Continue reading...

By Gerard Meagher