There was only one place to start last week and that is where we start again.
Noah Caluori’s five tries on his first Prem start brought an increased level of interest to his second start for Saracens on Friday against Northampton Saints.
The 19-year-old’s performance against Sale Sharks saw him named in Steve Borthwick’s England training squad as a development player, and he sealed his spot in the final squad on Sunday.
Now a known quantity, Saints reduced their kicking to Caluori to deal with the breakout star’s freakish aerial ability, while the teenager struggled to get the ball in hand to show his running power.
Instead it was Northampton’s England winger Tommy Freeman who stole the show with four tries in an entertaining 43-31 win.
His final score showed his impressive aerial ability as the 24-year-old caught the ball over his head and raced clear to seal the victory.
Freeman, who has played at full-back this season, also started the final Six Nations game against Wales at outside centre.
He started all three British and Irish Lions Tests in Australia this summer on the wing, but did not hit his top level in those Tests.
Friday was a reminder of his class before England’s match against Australia on Saturday.
“Tommy does so many things so well, and I think he looked physical, fast, skilful, he took the ball in the air beautifully and was in the right place,” Northampton boss Phil Dowson said.
“An outstanding performance from him and he’s just a phenom at the moment.”
The question now is where will he play this autumn and could his versatility perhaps enable Borthwick to hand a debut to Caluori, or use another of his electric wingers?
