Chris Ashton backs Tommy Freeman for England selection ahead of Six Nations - 'He's got to be close to starting'

Chris Ashton believes Tommy Freeman “has to be close” to earning an England call-up for the Six Nations after the 22-year-old produced another dazzling performance as Northampton Saints thrashed Bayonne in the Investec Champions Cup.

Freeman has been deployed at full-back, centre and on the wing for the Saints this season and has looked at ease in every role, a versatility that would surely only add to his appeal for England head coach Steve Borthwick.

In the Pool 3 clash against Bayonne at Franklin’s Gardens, Freeman made his mark from the wing after just 64 seconds when he gathered Rory Hutchinson’s infield chip to open the floodgates for the in-form hosts.

In a rampant first half, Saints, who sit top of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table, ran in six unanswered tries to take a 42-0 lead in at the break before completing a 61-14 victory to become the first team to book their spot in the last 16.

Speaking at half-time at Franklin’s Gardens, Ashton, who earned 44 caps on the wing for England, spoke glowingly of Freeman, whose contribution earned him another Player of the Match award.

“I don't know what Tommy Freeman has got to do to get into this England team in the next few weeks but he's got to be close,” the TNT Sports pundit said. “He's running strong, he looks fast, he looks quick, he looks enthused.

“He got a highlight reel in the first half. All his touches, he is popping up everywhere. He's chasing kicks down, making tackles, chasing people back, he's done it all, and he's been playing like this all season.

“This isn’t a standout performance; this has become almost normal for Tommy that we see him play like this.

“He's got to be close to be starting if he continues like this until he gets to the Six Nations.”

Northampton take on Munster next week in the final round of pool games knowing they’ve already progressed to the knockout phase before a clash against Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher Premiership.

Then follows a lengthy break to accommodate the Six Nations, which gets under way on February 2, and Ashton thinks that might be a blessing in disguise for the Saints, who are currently on an eight-game winning run.

“That's the issue. You get to Christmas and you're at the top of the Premiership and you're doing well in Europe. You don't want to do it all too soon,” Ashton added.

“But when you're a young side, the average age of that backline tonight was 24. It's unbelievable, actually the experience that they have behind them already. They've already lost games and had seasons that haven't gone too well. This season feels different. You just don't want to do it too early.

“Maybe this break for the Six Nations will come at the right time for them. It just takes the pressure off them a little bit and it goes on to international rugby, and they get a few weeks to reset and go again.”

Freeman admitted it wasn’t a bad time to be on form with England selection around the corner and said Northampton are capable of dismantling any team when they are on song.

“We spoke about coming out fast. The boys did that and we stuck in it right to the end and showed our character,” Freeman said on TNT Sports.

“I think we say every week, if we come out the blocks firing and being physical, making sure we don't force silly offloads, we're going forward and everything, I think we can do that to a lot of teams.

“Full credit to Bayonne for sticking in it and they did punish us occasionally but to get that big result was massive for us.

“It’s awesome [to be a part of this Saints side]. Any team you’re a part of when you’re winning is that extra special. We’re putting it in week in week out and luckily getting the results, so happy to rip into Munster next week.”

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