"Awesome to Watch" - Tommy Freeman reveals how George North inspired his Lions dream ahead of Test debut

Freeman played his way onto the plane following the latest installment of Rugby's Greatest Championship and has been named to start on the wing for the warm-up Test against Los Pumas. It's a historic moment in the 24-year-old's career, with Freeman casting his mind back to an unforgettable Lions try which made him when he first realise his dream of playing for the Lions.

“That George North one [try vs Australia, 2013]. I was about 12 at the time, his debut was pretty special and if could do what he did it would be pretty good I reckon."

"I always say that I'm not too nervous in terms of pre-match stuff. My first-ever England cap, it's probably going to be a similar feeling with the first Lions cap. It's the top of the top, so I'm buzzing for it.

"My family as well being in the crowd to watch, and my girlfriend, to experience it with me is going to be pretty special as well. It's a feeling I probably can't explain until I'm going out and doing it."

There are plenty of similarities between Freeman and North, as the two outside backs both enjoyed stints across the wings and in the centres. Throw in their shared experience in the green, gold and black of Northampton Saints, and Freeman has all the more drive to emulate the Lions legacy of the Welsh icon.

“I think for him [George North] it was similar to me, with the size. I don’t think he was looked at as a centre. It was ‘if he could have a go and try it’ and he happened to be pretty handy there. There are probably similar aspects to our games, and when he was flying he was pretty unstoppable and pretty awesome to watch.

"There are definitely bits of the game, but he could back it up as well. The game has changed massively, you have got the out and out wingers who stay out on their wings and run pretty fast and chase pretty hard, whereas now it is just a centre playing on the wing these days, I would say.”

Lions head coach Andy Farrell is excited to utilise such a hulking back-line, with pace and power the order of the day from an attacking perspective. Freeman quipped how he has never played in such a powerful backs line-up, that includes the likes of Ireland wrecking ball Bundee Aki, and Scottish steamrollers Sione Tuipulotu and Duhan van der Merwe.

Freeman is also a power-player in his own right, with the Saints man expected to cut inside for some heavy carries up the middle of the park akin to his duties in green, gold and black. Farrell has long utilised the tactic of bringing his wide men into the midfield fray, with Freeman taking valuable learnings from the likes of Mack Hansen and James Lowe in the proceeding day's training.

"That’s the way I play anyway, but I also think it’s the way a winger has to be these days. You don’t want wingers staying on the wing and going quiet for phases of games. You want them popping up to inject a bit of pace and power and create that extra number. If you’re standing on your wing and being a bit lazy, that’s where you miss some opportunities."

"The versatility is there if needed. I’ve put myself forward [at centre] and stepped in there a few times in training. I’m happy to go there if needed, and at fullback as well."

"It’s something I always say with Saints and England. The flexibility at 13 and 14 allows you to pick up different cues. Defensively, if you’re at 14 you know you can make good calls, not to put your 13 under pressure and vice versa. That does really help. If I can be the guy who connects guys, I’m happy."

With three of his Franklin's Gardens teammates also taking up a place in the Lions squad, Freeman has been able to enjoy some home comforts whilst embarking on this new adventure. Freeman was joined by his Northampton brothers Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell and Henry Pollock in the Portugal camp, yet the wing ensured that no East Midlands clique would form in the Quinta do Lago training centre.

However, Freeman did admit that some plans could be in the works for a few Saints-inspired celebrations, with Henry Pollock expected to lead any headline-making rehearsals out in Australia.

"It's been pretty easy, to be honest. All the lads are top blokes and there's no pressure on that. We're all in the same position of wanting to get to know each other. As much as the Saints boys are good lads, you've got to build connections with other people in the squad. It's been really easy and I actually haven't seen Fin that much so far, so it's been alright."

“I will leave it [celebrations] to him [Pollock] but there will be something in the locker I am sure." Freeman added. "“Yep, we’ll start slow and build. The [lawn] mower might come towards the end, we’ll see.”

Freeman has loved the fact that he has been able to bring the telepathic connection with Fin Smith to the Lions stage. Some Northampton style cross-field kicks could be in store for their shared maiden cap in the red jersey, with additional Lions squad members picking up the cues and bringing fresh ideas to their own attacking plans. The wing expressed how he was taken aback to see such immediate learnings, as he recognised his teammates to truly be the 'best of the best'.

"The difference I've found from club and England is how quickly people learn. How we learn to be around each other and how well the coaches have done to get us all on the same page and get us all married up. It's a short space of time but I'm as confident as ever and I'm sure all the lads are."

"It's the best of the best, isn't it? You're all there for a reason. It's how quick everyone is learning the plays, learning the calls. There all very different and even though you've got the same things at clubs, it's just named differently. It's how quick everyone is learning that and getting on board with it.

"The way we play as players, Obviously, I've played around Fin, Mitch, and the Saints lads but with the other lads, we've got to know each other, and the way they move the ball and do things. You pick up cues here and there, so it's all about adapting and how quick we've learned off each other in the past few weeks."

For Freeman, a try upon his first cap in Lions colours would be an unforgettable occassion. However, the wing sounded off on how he is just going to give his all for the team, regardless of whether he crosses the whitewash against Argentina. Freeman's plan of action is to put his best foot forward with ball in hand, to secure the Lions starting jersey throughout the tour of Australia.

"I always say setting up a try is as good as scoring one. I’m sure that’s the biggest lie you’ve ever heard. In your role, if you can get the ball back in the air and give your team an attacking opportunity then that’s a big tick for me. You judge yourself on all different bits of the game, not just the try scoring. For me it’s about getting as many involvements as possible. The more times I can get involved and the more touches I get, the better for me."