The 2024 Six Nations got off to a raunchy start for one England rugby star, whose first appearance in the competition came at the cost of his dignity following one timely tackle
Tommy Freeman turned the other cheek in a Six Nations debut to remember.
The England winger has joined up with Steve Borthwick's squad for this year's tournament as one of the in-form players so far this Premiership season. However, the 22-year-old got caught with his pants down while storming to the line in Rome on Saturday.
Having played a key role in Elliot Daly scoring England's first try of the tournament, the Northampton Saints star came close to adding one of his close to half-time. However, Tommaso Menoncello and Paolo Garbisi combined to stop him just short of the line.
watching rugby world witnessed a side of Freeman most won't have seen before as he had his bare backside exposed. Not that it was the worst part of the opening half for England, who went in at the break trailing 17-14 at the Stadio Olimpico.
"Tommy Freeman almost finding a ‘crack’ in the Italian defensive line," joked one spectator with impressive pun material. Another admirer added: "Tommy Freeman showing his class.. . well it rhymes with class!"
Saints talisman Freeman earned a fourth England cap in the Italian capital, a fixture he's liable to remember regardless of the result in Rome. And most of the crowd at the Olimpico may well say the same thing.
Borthwick's men got over their shock in the second half to strike first and lead for the first time thanks to Alex Mitchel''s try. Freeman's Northampton team-mate shrugged off numerous attempted tackles to find the line in a determined fashion, with his waistband intact.
England will host Wales in Week 2 of the Six Nations, where Freeman will hope he's done enough to retain his place in the hosts' XV. Even if only for the much larger Twickenham crowd to get a chance at sighting an early contender for Rear of the Year.
