"Targets on our back" – Northampton wing Tommy Freeman knows the threat of being defending Premiership champions
08/31/2024 09:29 AM
By James Logan
Northampton Saints and England winger Tommy Freeman was just one of several title-winning Saints players that excited rugby supporters across the Gallagher Premiership season last season.
As the Saints aim for back-to-back Premiership titles this season for the first time in 10 years, the green, black and gold flyer will be looking to carry on his fine form with the hope to retain the title in the 2024/25 campaign.
Speaking ahead of the new season, Freeman was optimistic the Saints can carry on where they left off at Twickenham, but knows there is much work to do.
"There's a balance and a bit of a trap that you can fall into," said the winger "After winning the Prem you can maybe take your foot off the pedal a bit.
"But we are all young and hungry enough to realise that's not what you do, in today’s game every team is going to be hungrier to get the top spot."
The England international added: "We will have some targets on our back, and we know that, so we just need to keep our heads down and carry on our business and hopefully back it up this year."
Freeman is quickly becoming a fan favourite, as his link-up play with George Furbank, Alex Mitchell, Fraser Dingwall and Fin Smith have provided plenty of exciting attacking rugby for the Franklin’s Gardens faithful.
Freeman, who scored 16 tries in all competitions last season, was a stalwart in the backline for the East Midlands side, with the versatility to play on the wing and in the centre position.
"Of course, Furbs (George Furbank) can cover a few (positions), he's got his 10 and 15 so we complement each other a little bit.
"If I need to go to full-back as well then I can step in there, so we don't talk too much about those position changes, but he does his job, and I do mine."
Much of Saint’s success last season could be attributed to the support from not just those fans who travel, but also those at the Cinch Franklins Gardens last season.
The Gardens saw a record number of fans at games with the majority of matches being sold out throughout their title-winning campaign.
The 23-year-old praised the crowds and still believes they will have a big part to play if those in Green, Black and Gold are to follow up last year’s win with another domestic trophy.
"Hopefully the same, they are massive," said winger Freeman, "Definitely playing at this ground is an unbelievable place and I'm very happy to be a part of it.
"To have the fans backing you and we saw that with the parade afterwards of how many people came together to support us was awesome.
He jokingly added: "We chucked the spanner in the works with the new badge, to see where the true fans are but they are really important to us."
The Saints start their season away at the Rec with a repeat of last season's Gallagher Premiership Final, before kicking off their home fixtures by hosting Exeter Chiefs.
