Northampton Saints winger Tommy Freeman is excited for the special occasion of his 100th appearance in the Black, Green and Gold jersey this weekend against Leicester Tigers.
The 24-year-old graduate of the Saints Academy system made his senior debut for Northampton in the PREM Rugby Cup against Sale Sharks in 2019, before going on to win Club Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2020/21 and then Young Player of the Year the following season, scoring 14 tries in 18 games.
Freeman earned his first international cap on the 2022 tour to Australia and was a regular pick during the 2024 and 2025 Six Nations campaigns, becoming the first England player to score in every round of a Six Nations series in the latter.
“It will be a pretty special occasion and a big day,” said Freeman ahead of his milestone match. “It’s come around quickly, and to do it here against Leicester just makes it all the more special.
Freeman returns to cinch Stadium this weekend off the back of a successful British & Irish Lions tour alongside three of his fellow tourists and Saints teammates: Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell and Henry Pollock.
Freeman was an integral part of the tour, starting all three tests Down Under in an experience of a lifetime.
“The Lions tour was very enjoyable,” Freeman added. “It was an unbelievable place to go with a great group as well, and to start all three Tests was so special.
“I’d love to go on a few more Lions tours; that would be the dream, but it’s all about taking each year as it comes, and hopefully one day I‘ll get another shot.
“I’m very excited to be back this week. It was a good summer, but I’ve had four weeks now getting my body and mind right to fly into this special week.
“It was great to have my Saints teammates alongside me for that experience, it’s a credit to the coaches here, and to see them go well there was so special.”
Whilst Freeman has been on the sidelines during his mandatory rest period following the tour, exciting young talent Edoardo Todaro has been ripping the Gallagher PREM up in his absence with a brace of tries on his debut against Exeter Chiefs in Round 1 at cinch Stadium.
“Edoardo is super skilful,” Freeman continued. “He’s got lightning feet, and I’m just happy he’s on my team, that’s for sure.
“I don’t know what they’re feeding these first years. I did not come in like that; they’re pretty special, and it will be good to see him grow as a player.
“I try to give advice where I can and am open to any question he has; we want to grow as a team. Back in the day, academy lads probably didn’t get as much game time as they do today, but I think that’s a credit to what they do on the pitch to give themselves that opportunity.”