Tommy Freeman is hoping for a repeat result against Wales this weekend, with England having demolished their rivals 68-14 in last year's Six Nations encounter. The Northampton Saints star believes a significant mindset change and a touch of "swagger" will be crucial as England chase their first championship title in four years.
Embracing Expectation with Confidence
Freeman acknowledges that England's impressive 11-match winning streak brings heightened expectations, but the talented back insists the squad is thriving under pressure rather than being burdened by it. "There is an element of a bit of both," Freeman explained regarding external expectations. "You listen to it too much and you can coast along. But we will be looking to keep doing what we are doing, keeping our heads down on the training field and letting the rest take care of itself."
The 23-year-old, who made his England debut in 2022, emphasised the team's growing self-belief. "Don't get me wrong, we want to stick our chests out. We are hard to beat and you have seen that over the last year and we recognise that and we will have a bit of swagger about us." This confidence reflects a broader transformation within the camp under head coach Steve Borthwick's leadership.
Strategic Shift Under Borthwick's Guidance
Borthwick has already outlined his expectations for Wales's approach this weekend while challenging England to remain in grand slam contention until the championship's final round on 14th March. The head coach has urged supporters to "flood across the Channel" for their potential title-deciding clash against France in Paris.
Captain Jamie George has expressed frustration with finishing second, highlighting the squad's determination to end their trophy drought. The Rugby Football Union's recently-released strategic plan has tasked Borthwick with winning international competitions "consistently," adding institutional pressure to the team's ambitions.
Freeman revealed how Borthwick constantly reinforces the winning mentality: "That's something Steve is always talking about, get used to lifting silverware. We want to be winning as much as possible, and that's the end game."
Mindset Transformation Driving Success
The psychological shift within the England camp has been particularly significant according to Freeman. He contrasted the previous approach of protecting leads with the current proactive mentality: "There's a difference in mindset, from when you're winning it's to prevent them from winning rather than when we're winning to keep winning. We probably did everything we can to not let them score whereas it's let's carry on doing everything we can to score more points and be in the right areas."
This philosophical change has transformed England from a team that frequently lost close contests in final quarters to one that dominates throughout matches. Freeman attributes this turnaround to Borthwick and his coaching staff's emphasis on maintaining intensity for the full eighty minutes.
Perfect Opportunity Against Struggling Wales
England face a Wales side that has lost their last eleven Six Nations matches, presenting what Freeman describes as "the perfect opportunity to begin their campaign with a bang." The outside-centre, who will reprise his role from last year's record victory in Cardiff, recognises the significance of that 68-14 triumph as the moment England discovered their true potential.
"It was the fourth victory in England's winning run but the first in which they realised the outer reaches of their potential," Freeman noted, highlighting how that performance marked a turning point in the team's development.
Despite the favourable circumstances, Freeman insists complacency hasn't crept into the camp: "I think there is an element of confidence but I don't think there is any complacency, the lads are still learning and still wanting to get better. Every week is a different week and a different competition."
Building Connections and Momentum
The continuity within the squad has fostered strong relationships that Freeman believes contribute to their success. "The place is unbelievable to be around, we are all good mates, the connections we are building," he said. "It has been the same faces over the last couple of years so it is a really good spot to be in."
As England prepare for their Six Nations opener, Freeman's message is clear: the team has evolved psychologically, developed genuine confidence without arrogance, and is ready to translate their winning streak into championship silverware. With Borthwick's strategic vision, George's determined leadership, and a squad embracing rather than fearing expectation, England appear poised for their most compelling Six Nations campaign in years.
