Lions star's parents will see Test despite mishap

The parents of British and Irish Lions star Tommy Freeman will see him play in the first Test - despite a mishap that saw his mum end up in hospital in Australia.

The Northampton Saints wing starts for the Lions in Brisbane on Saturday as the long-awaited three-Test series against the Wallabies kicks off.

After flying his parents to Australia, Freeman revealed his mum "has just broken her foot, so she has had surgery in Adelaide".

But his dad, Cliff, confirmed they would make both it to the Test after he "ended up buying a wheelchair for her".

The 24-year-old made his England debut in the same city in 2022.

He promised to fly his parents to Australia in business class should he make a Test appearance for the Lions. The pledge has reportedly cost him over £12,000.

Cliff Freeman told BBC Radio Northampton how he and the Lions' winger's mum, Sara, had decided to drive from Canberra to Adelaide to "break it up a little bit from all the flying".

He said: "It was a two-day trip and on the second day we stopped to take some photographs.

"Sara stepped up on some sleepers and it was after taking the photograph she stepped off and just went down on her foot."

She ended up in hospital but has now been discharged.

Mr Freeman said she would not be able to put any weight on her foot for two months.

He said they were "absolutely thrilled" when they found out Freeman would be starting the game and "can't wait" for kick-off.

"Watching the boys during this warm-up phase, the competition's high. Every player here is at the top of their game," he said.

Mr Freeman said he and Sara would be at the game with "special seating now, we've got a big wide open space for the [wheelchair]".

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