Saints must step up to plug experience gap - Freeman

Tommy Freeman says he and his Northampton Saints team-mates have the experience necessary to spark a Prem Rugby revival this season.

The England winger has admitted the loss of departing players, including Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam, contributed to a poor domestic showing last term as the Saints' title defence fell flat.

But the 24-year-old also told the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast he believed injuries were partly to blame for Northampton's slow start last term.

Freeman, who started all three of the British & Irish Lions Tests against Australia this summer, says there were multiple reasons behind Saints' eighth-placed finish.

He said: "We had a pretty tough start last season. There were injuries, a lot of us were away with England camps and we just didn't perform, early doors.

"We know it's pretty important if, initially, you lose a couple of games. It can put you right down the bottom of the table.

"Obviously, we had a lot of experienced heads when we won the league - and you could say that we probably don't any more.

"Losing big names like Courtney and Luds and those boys obviously is a massive loss, but I think now we can kind of take it in our stride and give off what they gave.

"We have to be the ones to drive that and we know we can play for 80 minutes if we do. We are going to keep doing what we are good at and moving the ball into space.

"However, it's got to be an 80-minute performance. Not just going to attack and then letting a side in, or just switching off for the moment.

"I think with the players we have got at this level and the team we have around us, that we have got to stay in [games]."

Freeman 'excited' by 'dangerous' Van Der Mescht's arrival

Freeman returned home with a series win in Australia under his belt following a summer spent with the Lions.

But he has ambitions to broaden his horizons and become more adaptable - with learning the role at outside-centre on his to-do list.

He said: "For me, I think this year I need to focus more on 13. Okay, I'm still on the wing and I signed as a winger.

"But I think in terms of training, I'll probably push to get myself in at 13 a lot more.

"Just so I've got that option to come in to whatever level and do it properly rather than just being here and filling in.

"So, for me, there will be a bit more of a focus on that."

Saints have added fresh faces to their squad with South African lock JJ van Der Mescht from Stade Francais, back row specialist Callum Chick from Newcastle Falcons and Clermont fly-half Anthony Belleau.

Freeman added: "It's always nice having competition in your areas and I think Anthony will get good game time at the start and push Fin (Smith) hard.

"JJ's a pretty big lad. I'm not sure what he's weighing in at but he's huge.

"I thought I could take him on in training. He's actually quick as well, which is pretty dangerous.

"But he's got skills like you've never seen before. He's flipping out balls left, right and centre. It's exciting to have him."