The Steve Borthwick selection for England's visit to Cardiff is the best he has made in his time. Some have said it is risky, but I think it's great.
I have been consistent in campaigning through this column so that Tommy Freeman plays in the external center at the test level and finally we will see it in that position against Wales.
I am convinced that Freeman will be a world -class number. It seems that there is a lot of debate about moving to the center of the field from the wing. But there is no debate for me.
Congratulations to Borthwick for going bankrupt and also in such a large accessory. Of course, the cruel injury suffered by Ollie Lawrence against Italy has required a central change.
Would Borthwick have played Freeman at age 13 if Lawrence was still fit? Maybe. Probably not. The reality is that we will never know. What we do know is that Freeman is playing there this weekend and that this could be the beginning of a new dawn for English rugby. It is not even a bet for Borthwick in my eyes.
Freeman has played a lot in the outer center for its Northampton club, so it is not out of position. And the background of England at the main stadium will also have three other saints, so there is familiarity and cohesion there. For too long, the central match of England has not been correct. He has been retaining the team and, if I am honest, I am not sure that the team has completely replaced Will Greenwood and Mike Tindall, which were the glue in the midfield 20 years ago.
Steve Borthwick has made the bold call to choose Tommy Freeman at No. 13 this weekend
Freeman has prospered in the wing of England, scoring in the four games of the six nations
But Freeman has the rhythm and power of being an important asset for England as a center
For me, Freeman is a genuine 13 because it provides a rhythm and power outside and outside the wide channels. To be a team capable of beating the best teams in the world such as South Africa, New Zealand, France and Ireland, England has to have a side that can play at dizzying speed. Having Freeman in the center of the field will allow them to do exactly that.
Moving Freeman to the center is win-win. It allows you to play in what I think is your best position and also allows England to bring another end.
England is blessed with many great extremes. But they do not have a series of brilliant centers, so we advance, we can see people like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ollie Sleightholme in the wide positions. In this way, you can get that pair and Freeman on the same team. That is a background with speed to burn!
In Cardiff on Saturday, England must be intelligent with the way they use Freeman. It is brilliant to associate Smith and collect cross kicks of NO 10.
An intelligent team moves the opposition, so just because Freeman uses the Jersey 13, does not mean that it occasionally cannot appear in the wing.
Do that will keep Wales giving up. And Smith can still kick Freeman consistently. It is a great weapon for England because Freeman is very good in the air.
If Smith's kick is in the money, nine out of 10 Freeman will write down their ability to jump.
It is very impressive that Freeman has scored in each game of these six nations. In anyone's mind, he is a brilliant player who should be touring with the lions this summer.
Without a doubt, Freeman will prosper in Cardiff. In the future, I would also like to see it with Smith as a central pairing option.
That would mean taking Marcus Smith to his favored position in the middle of the fly. The two Smith at 10 and 12 with Freeman at age 13 have the potential to be a truly bright axis.
Smith may not like that idea, but I think it could be a great interior center because its distribution is brilliant and has shown that it is a very strong and physical defender.
I would like to see Freeman matched with end Smith in the centers in the future
This would allow Marcus Smith to return to half the flight and create an exciting axis 10-12-13
Overcoming Wales will not be easy, but I am supporting England to do exactly that for a margin of seven to eight points. Such scenario will not be enough to win the six nations.
But if Borthwick's team ends the 2025 championship with four five -game wins, then there is no doubt that it would have been a successful campaign.
England is directed in the right direction. A defeat in Cardiff would reverse that movement, but I don't think it happens. Freeman will be the center of attention.
He is a vital player for the future of England and the center of the field is where he should stay.
The three Sir Clive Woodward players to see in 'Super Saturday'
Jack Crowley
Ireland was impressed by France in the fourth round. They will hit Italy with something left over, but I don't think they win the title. All my approach to the game in Rome will be in Jack Crowley.
Undoubtedly, it will have been disappointed, and that is a euphemism, having played the second violin as Irish no 10 to Sam Prendast in these six nations. Then, he will demonstrate a point now he has the shirt of the middle of the initial fly.
It is a great decision because I thought that Ireland was firmly behind Purgast. Crowley has also been linked to a transfer to Leicester, so he will want to cause a great impression and show that he is man.
Jack Crowley will have a point to demonstrate after touching the second violin to Sam Pomset
Tommy Freeman
Freeman will receive a lot of assistant at Wales playing along with his teammate from Club Fraser Dingwall. You can't be underlining that.
Cardiff will be the 20th Freeman cap. So, although he is not an experienced veteran, he now also has international experience. It means that I think it will take everything easy.
One thing that will have to be aware is your communication. In the center, you must speak much more than in the wing. And that will be even more difficult in the cauldron of the Stadium of the Principality, where it is difficult to listen to yourself and much less talk!
Freeman will have a great game. Of that, I'm sure.
Get Fickou
France are favorites for the title after Enruruta Ireland. And they should have too much for Scotland, especially in Paris.
Fickou is key to his team. But, he has not played in these six nations due to an injury, so that he is remembered for a decisive championship is a great decision of Fabien Gallthie.
There is no doubt of the experience and the Fickou pedigree. But if it is not in the races, then Scotland can and should seek to exploit it. Huw Jones has had great six nations and needs to try Fickou Early, the same with Duhan Van Der Merwe.
If Fickou does not last the course, France could be in trouble, since they only have one in the bank!