'I can't wait' - Freeman looks forward to exciting year with Saints and England

The England and British & Irish Lions star grabbed a hat-trick as a Saints team showing 10 changes from the previous week's win over Sale Sharks stunned Bath with a 41-21 success at The Rec.

Freeman lined up at outside centre and was at the heart of everything for the black, green and gold as he made his first start since suffering a hamstring injury on England duty during the autumn.

And the incredibly talented 24-year-old will now look to keep kicking on when Saints host Harlequins on Saturday before travelling to Bordeaux for a mouthwatering Investec Champions Cup clash on January 11.

"I don't look too far ahead - I try to take it week by week," Freeman said, when asked about his hopes for 2026.

"I want to be involved in England setups and the top of the top - that's where I want to be and competing there, hopefully getting some more records, whatever that looks like.

"With England, we've got an exciting group, we know each other and have played together for a long time so I'm excited for what's next.

"With Saints, we've got Europe to get after and what a way to do it, with the defending champions, Bordeaux.

"I'm just excited really because we've got a lot to go and I can't wait for it."

Saints scored six tries in their win at champions Bath last Saturday, including registering 27 unanswered points as they roared back from 21-14 down in the second half.

"It was very impressive," Freeman said. "We knew we were capable of it.

"We've gone into a few of these games with a big rotation - Bristol away and places like that - and it's very easy to go into your shell and not take opportunities.

"It was my message and the team's message that we take every opportunity that comes.

"If we're four on four, we'll back ourselves to go and do our one on ones and things like that.

"It was brilliant and everyone understood the game plan.

"We knew we were going to have to make our own atmosphere because they had a big home support so it was awesome.

"To see (Oliver) Scola make his PREM debut and other lads get some touches was pretty special.

"The pack was unbelievable. They got us going forward, they hit in defence.

"Thankfully we took our opportunities and it showed the coaches we've got this depth in our squad and we all know the game plan - it's just delivering it week in, week out, whoever's in the shirt."

Bath had gone into the game top of the PREM table, but Saints moved above them to ensure they will be the ones starting the new year at the summit.

"It's where the competition is at: you've got to win away games," Freeman said.

"We play well at home so it's how well we can play away.

"Dows (Saints boss Phil Dowson) mentions kicking the door in every time we travel - and we did that."

Saints could even have had more tries, had the officials not intervened on a few occasions.

"That is difficult when you get those scrubbed off and you've got to go 'right, go again, next job'," said Freeman, who celebrated one of his tries by mimicking a TMO check signal.

"But we took confidence in everything we were doing and we knew we could get over the line, it was just that extra bit before it.

"We knew we were capable of putting ourselves in good positions and if we kept hold of the ball, things started to happen.

"It was awesome from the lads to keep sticking at it and focusing on the next job."

Freeman has shown himself to be capable of starring at full-back, on the wing and at centre since emerging from the Saints Academy.

He started in the 13 shirt against Bath, coming up against England team-mates Max Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence.

"Max and Ollie are unbelievable players so what a game to test myself in that spot," Freeman said.

"It's still a challenge, there's still loads to learn and I'm enjoying it.

"It's not just centre - I've still got that wing option as well - but I've loved every minute and playing with Rory (Hutchinson) and Dingers (Fraser Dingwall), they give you a lot of confidence and help you out a lot so I'm enjoying the challenge and will keep getting after it.

"Maybe I'm a bit slower and some of these wingers are quick so I've got to go in one. I'll get to 10 one day!

"It's an option and where we see ourselves as a team, England and Saints, if I can do both then we can do a game plan and get the best players on the pitch.

"If I can cover two positions, that can help the team a bit more."

Saints rested a laundry list of key players for the trip to Bath, and Freeman knows how beneficial that will be for them.

"It's huge the way the game's going, how fast it is, how much stress your body's under and playing all those minutes," Freeman said.

"I think I played 34 (games) the first season, 34 the season after and that rest is really important.

"If the coaches understand and get ahead of it, it will tee us up and give them a lot of confidence to trust the younger lads we've got in this squad."