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It's unlikely Tommy Freeman will surpass Louis Bielle-Biarrey on Super Saturday and finish as the competition's top try scorer but the Northampton Saints flyer is chasing a record of his own.
It's unlikely Tommy Freeman will surpass Louis Bielle-Biarrey on Super Saturday and finish as the competition's top try scorer but the Northampton Saints flyer is chasing a record of his own.
The 24-year-old is three shy of France's potent wing who is likely to be in the reckoning for player of the tournament given his mesmerising seven scores.
However, if Freeman dots down in Cardiff he will become the first ever England player to score in every round of a Six Nations.
Freeman joined illustrious company alongside World Cup winner, Will Greenwood, last Sunday with his 27th minute try against Italy making the pair the only English players to have scored in four matches during the tournament.
Bordeaux-Begles flyer Bielle-Biarrey has lit up this year's competition possessing his very own highlight reel with the 21-year-old also having scored in every round - two against Wales, two in the narrow loss to England, one during the demolition of Italy and a further brace last weekend against Ireland. He needs two tries to surpass Cyril Lowe’s (England 1914) and Ian Smith’s (Scotland 1925) record season try tally in the tournament.
Key differences
Both wings possess a keen eye for the try line but their style of play couldn't be any different.
Freeman at 6ft 3inch is a menace in the air, getting the better of Bielle-Biarrey in England's win last month thanks to a precise kick pass from his club mate, Fin Smith. His bulky frame of over 100kgs, combined with a crisp passing game, has seen him transition into the centres this Saturday as he wears No.13 for the first time for England.
Meanwhile, Bielle-Biarrey isn't afraid to punch above his 84kg weight, with the pocket rocket making numerous big hits across the tournament, proving he's handy on both sides of the ball.
But what he lacks in size, he makes up with blistering pace. Give the former Grenoble back a sniff and he'll score.
Since the turn of the century we've seen numerous potent wingers enjoy purple patches which look to make them destined to break their country's try record, whether that's Julian Savea of New Zealand or England's Jonny May, but in such a competitive position, an injury or a loss of form often leaves them cut adrift.
Bielle-Biarrey has won 19 caps and scored 17 times - 21 shy of Damian Penaud's ever-growing France record but considering his remarkable rise at such a young age, the speedy scrum cap wearer looks destined for greatness.
Freeman may not be as easy on the eye as his French foe but his ability to play across the backline means he should also have a great Test career ahead of him.
We eagerly anticipate their next meeting.