Freeman's costly Lions Test selection

Tommy Freeman will make his first Lions Test start against Australia on Saturday

Tommy Freeman's selection for the British and Irish Lions' first Test with Australia has proved to be fairly costly for the Northampton Saints wing.

The 24-year-old returns to Brisbane three years after he made his Test debut for England against the Wallabies.

It was on that tour Down Under when Freeman promised to fly his parents Sara and Cliff back to the city in business class should he make a Test appearance for the Lions.

"My parents came to Australia in 2022. It was very last minute because I didn't think I was going to play out here, so I told them not to come," Freeman said.

"I eventually got selected and then they flew out. It was last minute so I told them that if I get picked for the Lions I would pay for their business class seats, which has backfired."

Freeman's mum and dad were already in the country following their son, but his pledge to fly them to Brisbane in upgraded seats worth over £12,000 will come as a welcome gift following an accident.

"I gave them a ring and they are having troubles of their own. Mum has just broken her foot so she has had surgery in Adelaide," he said.

"They were travelling from Canberra to Adelaide and thought they would drive so they pulled over and got some photos.

"It has not gone well on that front so it's a bit of good news for them. Mum's main concern was being fit enough to fly to get here in time.

"They were obviously delighted and all the travelling miles they have put in for me has paid off.

"It's amazing to be able to give back because I am not that pleasant to be around on game day with the nerves. I can be a bit grumpy, so for it all to pay off with moments like this is extra special."