‘I struggled without realising’: Freeman reveals mental toll of heavy workload

Gerard Meagher Mon, 16 February 2026 at 8:55 pm UTC·5 min read England’s 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 in which he exceeded the player welfare limits for the number of appearances made. Related: Keith Wood: ‘After a Lions series, every player that went on tour is wrecked’Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freeman made 34 appearances last season – 19 for Northampton, nine for England and six for the Lions – and has spoken of a “built-up anxiety” as a result of the workload. The mandated limit is 30 but players were given dispensation for the Lions tour on the proviso...