England wing Tommy Freeman has revealed his stunning behind-the-back pass to set up George Furbank’s try in Sunday’s victory against Japan came about in training
Steve Borthwick’s side ran in nine tries in their final Autumn Nations Series game to hammer Eddie Jones’ Japan 59-14 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
For their sixth try, Freeman gathered Henry Slade’s kick through at pace and rather than running into touch, the 23-year-old swung the ball behind his back for Furbank to collect and score.
“I actually did that a lot in training in the week! I was practising it a little bit and weirdly the opportunity to do it came up,” Freeman said.
“You’re always trying things. If it’s the right place and the right time, you back yourself to do it. It’s not something that pops up all the time, so I won’t be running around forcing it.
“I was on the move and I was running quite fast, so if I’d carried on in that motion I’d probably have gone into touch.
“I could probably have tried to off-load it a different way but I thought ‘let’s have a crack at it’. Luckily Furbs [Furbank] was there to catch it.”
Despite struggling defensively this autumn, especially in close defeats by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, Borthwick’s side have excited in an attack.
Fly-half Marcus Smith has helped lead an open attacking style, which differs from last year’s kicking game that resulted in a third-placed finish at the Rugby World Cup, with England managing to score 138 points this autumn.
Captain Jamie George described Freeman’s assist “naughty”, with scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet spotted laughing and clapping the moment on the bench.
However, the Northampton Saints wing said he only tried it because he is told to express himself on the pitch.
“I’m just relieved it came off because if it didn’t I would have had it in the neck,” he added. “We get the permission to do things and put ourselves out there. Luckily it came off.
“I got a lot of stick in the changing room. It’s going to be posted everywhere, so it’s going to be ‘ah, just try and play it cool’. It was good it came off and I’m happy with it.”
