Wing to 13: Tommy Freeman on the secret behind a successful switch

Outside centre is widely reckoned to be the most challenging position to defend on the rugby field, as you can be exposed inside and out and split-second decisions need to be made.

Physically, it is no more demanding than the wing, and there is a lot less aerial work to be done, but reading play correctly, especially when the opposition has the ball, takes some adjusting to.

Moving between positions now is more fluid than ever before, with fly-halves doubling as full-backs, back-rows moving to lock, and vice-versa, and flankers even alternating at hooker.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus gives a glimpse into what he expects on South Africa’s five-Test year-end tour

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus gives a glimpse into what he expects on South Africa’s five-Test year-end tour

But to nail the transition from wing to 13 takes a different animal, a player of the calibre of a Reiko Ioane or an Elliot Daly.

Having talked about making the switch at Test level last month, England and British and Irish Lions international Tommy Freeman could be the next cab off the rank.

The experiment with England began against Wales in the final game of the Six Nations, when he became the first England player to score in every round of the competition.

It was his seventh England try in 20 Tests, but his first outing at 13. Now, England, who are blessed with a glut of speedsters, are thinking about making the move permanent, and Freeman is happy to oblige and play where needed for club and country.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a dead cert and something that I’m really forcing and pushing,” said Freeman. “But having a couple of strings to your bow always helps, and you pick up cues to aid each position.

“There are good wingers, and good centres too, but if I can push each position as hard as possible, then hopefully it’ll get me on the teamsheet somewhere. If that’s at centre, so be it, and if it’s on the wing, then happy days; it doesn’t matter for me.”

Freeman added: “I think a bit of size and a few skills I’ve worked on personally mean I could do some good stuff in the middle as well,” he said.

“It’s hard to switch. If I’m going to play centre at the weekend, then I want reps all week there and not chopping and changing. If I’m starting wing but covering centre, then that’s where I’ll have a couple of reps in there.

“It’s all about consistency, and I still back that. They’re two very different positions with very different feels on both defence and attack, but it’s all about being consistent with training time and when you’re playing.”