Who Is Tommy Freeman?
Tommy Freeman is an England international rugby union player who plays wing and centre for Northampton Saints, England Rugby, and the British & Irish Lions. He is comfortable across the back three and is known for his speed, finishing, and versatility. These qualities helped him go from being released by an academy to starting for the Lions in Test matches. He is also an OPRO brand ambassador, using the same protection he first wore as a schoolboy.
Tommy Freeman Rugby Career
Freeman's introduction to rugby came almost by accident. "I was originally into football, yeah, as every youngster probably is," he says. That changed at Culford School, where football wasn't on the curriculum. "It was rugby, hockey and cricket. And yeah, that was the first time I was introduced to rugby."
He started playing club rugby at Bury St Edmunds after several school friends went along, and progressed quickly through the representative age groups. He was picked for the England Lambs at Under 11s, and by Under 13s had interest from both Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers. He chose Leicester, largely down to travel commitments being more manageable.
After being released by Leicester at Under 16s, Freeman moved to Moulton College, whose rugby programme is affiliated with Northampton Saints. "Nothing in the first year, and then my second year I had a bit of a growth spurt, got my legs, found some speed, put the whole game together," he explains. That form earned him a place in Northampton's Under 18s set-up, and a contract followed at the end of the season.
Freeman went on to establish himself in the Saints first team before earning his first England call-up in the Autumn of 2021. He made his international debut on England's tour of Australia the following year, went on to play in the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Series, and was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2025, where he started all three Tests.
Tommy Freeman Leicester Tigers
Freeman's release from the Leicester Tigers academy at Under 16 level was, by his own account, the first real setback of his rugby career. "I was a bit too small," he says. "That was probably my first setback of not loving the sport, being at the top of the world and then having it all come back down and having to start from scratch."
He credits his parents for the outlook that got him through it. "As a youngster, I had a lot of people put their arm around me. I didn't look into it closely. I wasn't that fussed. I was like, 'No, it's fine. That's what happens, and you can't pick everyone.' That was a mindset my parents probably gave me. If at first you don't succeed, always keep trying."
That mindset helped him get through a slow first year at Moulton College before he had a breakthrough and was picked up by Northampton Saints. This shows that a setback at academy level does not have to be the end of the story.
Tommy Freeman OPRO Mouthguard
Freeman's history with OPRO goes back to his schooldays, when OPRO visited his school to fit mouthguards. "When you first get your mouthguard fitting for OPRO when they come into school... I'd say you're old enough that your teeth aren't going to develop too much that you need to keep changing it, so I was probably about 12 or 13 at the time, possibly younger," he recalls. "You're all queuing up in a line, all excited as hell to get the putty in your mouth and not breathe for a couple of seconds."
Now an OPRO ambassador, Freeman is honest about why protection matters at every level of the game. "Protection, well it's crucial really," he says. "You've got your girlfriend at home not wanting you to come back toothless." For Freeman, it isn't only about his own safety. "Having a comfortable fit, something that doesn't affect you and doesn't bother you, it is really good. Obviously for the game, it's not only for yourself, but it's for others."
He's also clear that comfort is what makes a mouthguard work in practice. "I think people mistake that when you're playing, and you forget about it. That's the main thing. As much as it's important, you've got to be focusing on what you do and not your gumshield."
Rugby Mouthguard Fitting for Young Players
Freeman's first fitting, which happened in a school queue when he was about 12 or 13, is similar to how most young rugby players in the UK get their first mouthguards. This usually happens through school or club fitting sessions instead of at a dental practice. Fitting mouthguards for younger players needs a different approach than for adults because their teeth and jaws are still growing.
A comfortable, well-fitting mouthguard makes it much more likely that a player will wear it regularly. This is why custom-fit options are better than generic one-size-fits-all mouthguards for younger players. As Freeman's story shows, the fitting process can be a memorable part of a young player's early rugby experience, just like getting their first pair of boots.
Tommy Freeman Advice for Young Rugby Players
Looking back on his own journey, from being released at 16 to rebuilding at Moulton and eventually reaching the top of the game, Freeman shares two pieces of advice for players working their way up.
"Something I'd always say, and it probably came from my parents saying it when I was a youngster, is to throw yourself into every sport. A lot of sports are transferable," he says. "Another thing is just being coachable. Drop the ego. You're not the best in the world until you're there, so you've always got time to learn. I think that's why the best are the best, because they never settle for where they are. Even as a youngster, be as coachable as possible and take every bit of criticism and advice you can, then turn it into something positive."
