England\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Freeman played in 34 games last season \u2013 19 for Northampton<\/a>, nine for England and six for the Lions \u2013 and has spoken of a \u201cbuilt-up anxiety\u201d 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 allowed five weeks off on returning from Australia and missed the first two rounds of the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old, who started all three Tests against the Wallabies, was one of 15 England players to take part in the Lions tour. Ireland, England\u2019s opponents at Twickenham on Saturday, contributed 18 to a squad overseen by their head coach, Andy Farrell.<\/p>\n Freeman returned to action for Northampton in round three of the Prem in October, but explained that his Saints coaches Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty intervened, sensing something was not right, and adjusted his workload. He started England\u2019s autumn victories against Australia<\/a> and Fiji<\/a>, only for a hamstring injury to strike, making his comeback just before Christmas and appearing in every match for which he has been available since then.<\/p>\n \u201cI struggled without realising it,\u201d Freeman said. \u201cI had the five weeks off, the body felt good, but my mental state wasn\u2019t in the best spot. Saints did really well at noticing that and giving me the time. England as well, picking that up and getting me back into the games in the right way. They\u2019ve done very well since then.<\/p>\n Quick GuideIRFU investigate racist abuse of EdogboShow<\/p>\n The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is investigating “cowardly” racist abuse directed at Edwin Edogbo following his international debut.<\/p>\n Munster second-row Edogbo was targeted on social media after coming on as a replacement in Saturday’s 20-13 Six Nations victory over Italy in Dublin. The 23-year-old was born and raised in Cobh, County Cork to Nigerian parents.<\/p>\n Posts on the IRFU’s X and Instagram accounts celebrating Edogbo’s first cap attracted a number of racist comments.<\/p>\n In a statement released to Press Association Sport, an IRFU spokesperson said: “We’re aware of some targeted abuse online in recent days and continue to work with Signify [a data technology company which specialises in protecting against online abuse] and the relevant authorities to report it.<\/p>\n “We will also continue to fully support all affected by the cowardly actions of a minority and investigations are underway alongside our partners Signify.<\/p>\n “It is clear that racist abuse has no place in Irish society and the IRFU has a zero tolerance policy towards racism of any form.”<\/p>\n Edogbo played the final 10 minutes against Italy after coming on for James Ryan. He received a huge cheer from the Aviva Stadium crowd before helping Andy Farrell’s side hold on for victory during a nail-biting finale. PA Media<\/p>\n Thank you for your feedback.<\/p>\n \u201cYou go on a big Lions tour and I think it was off the back of 34 games or so. It\u2019s a lot of rugby and then I could probably have managed my off time better. Without realising it, I think I was tired. My body felt like I was OK to go and I was saying to coaches: \u2018Yeah I\u2019m fine, I\u2019m fine.\u2019 I just think mentally it was a bit more of a struggle.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t really explain the feeling, if I\u2019m honest, it was just a mix of up and downs, really. [The coaches] pulled me from bits here and there: some gym sessions and running, bits and bobs of training and then a few games, which was really good.<\/p>\n Tommy Freeman started all three Lions Tests against Australia. Photograph: Dan Sheridan\/Inpho\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n \u201cOn the Lions tour, if you weren\u2019t involved you were with the non-23 quite a lot and doing stuff outside. I just locked myself in and it might have been a bit of buildup of anxiety. When you go on tours and go away for a long time I normally get ill, just the stress relief being off you. It is a mixture of all that.\u201d<\/p>\n