sports
February 16, 2026
‘I struggled without realising’: Tommy Freeman reveals mental toll of workload
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 when he exceeded the player welfare limits for the number of appearances.
TL;DR
- Tommy Freeman played 34 games in the previous season, exceeding the mandated player welfare limit of 30.
- He experienced "built-up anxiety" and a mental struggle that he initially didn't realize, despite his body feeling fine.
- Coaches at Northampton and England played a role in identifying his struggles and adjusting his workload.
- Freeman took five weeks off after the Lions tour but found his mental state was still not optimal.
- He is expected to play against Ireland, with coach Steve Borthwick awaiting disciplinary hearing outcomes for team selection.
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