Freer happy to be back playing with Leeds after Saints injury

The 24-year-old made a long-awaited and successful return from neck surgery during Saturday’s 30-30 British & Irish Cup draw with Leinster A.

He had suffered the injury in practice while on loan at Northampton Saints at the start of the season, scuppering any hopes of earning a deal with the former European champions.

Freer said: “It was back in August in a training session.

“I unfortunately hit the ground and did the same disc as I’d done a while back down the right side.

“But I’ve had it all cleared out now so hopefully that will be it all sorted and I can crack on.

“Things didn’t work out at Northampton but then I’ve come back to Leeds, the club I love and grown up wanting to play for. I’ve just been concentrating on actually getting back playing with the boys ever since so it was great to finally get out there again at the weekend.”

Freer looked in good shape and even managed a try during the 45-minute stint which he hopes will have impressed head coach Diccon Edwards enough to secure a place in Friday’s Championship fixture at Bristol.

“It’s a massive game for us,” he admitted, as the West Yorkshire club bid to push their top-four claims.

“It’s a good thing the Leinster match went ahead as it’s given us some momentum and a bit of a flush-out so we can take that into Bristol. I’d love to be involved again and help Leeds as we now go into the business end of the season,” he said.

Edwards will probably opt to utilise Freer from the bench when they head to the Memorial Ground where Leeds have not prospered since the 17-12 Premiership win in 2002-03.

But the ex-England Under-20s international knows he has to grab his every opportunity after such a long absence.

He has already endured one serious injury after missing the entire 2009-10 campaign following a knee reconstruction.

Chris Robshaw was last night re-appointed England captain for the RBS 6 Nations.

The Harlequins skipper, who led England to second place in last season’s Championship, will lead the team against Scotland in the opener at Twickenham on Saturday, February 2.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Chris stepped into the role 12 months ago, when we were building a new team, and he has grown as a leader on and off the field. He showed those leadership qualities during the QBE Internationals.”