Latest news with #FreddieSteward
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
England rugby star Freddie Steward embracing unique new role
The Leicester Tigers full-back, 24, forms part of a 33-strong training squad ahead of England's visit to both Argentina and the USA next month Freddie Steward is relishing his newfound leadership role ahead of an 'amazing' maiden trip to the Americas this summer. The Leicester Tigers full-back, 24, forms part of a 33-strong training squad ahead of England's visit to both Argentina and the USA next month. Those three clashes – two against the Pumas in Buenos Aires and San Juan and one against the Eagles in Washington – fall during The British & Irish Lions tour to Australia meaning many of Steve Borthwick's leading senior stars will be absent for the transatlantic fixtures. That has thrust Steward, who has earned 36 caps since his debut in 2021, into an enhanced level of responsibility and the Norfolk-born star can't wait to share his insight with some of the younger generation getting their first taste of international action. 'This is an opportunity for lads who haven't had one yet to show what they can do,' he said. 'I think it would be a waste to not try and share some of that experience with the lads coming in, so leadership is something that I'll try and add to this group. 'We've still got some old heads in the room – the likes of George Ford and Jamie George with that experience so it's a good mix. It feels like the first day back at school at training with a lot of fresh faces, so it's good to see everyone again and we're all really excited for it. 'It'll be amazing. I've never been to any of the Americas – South or North – so I'm dead excited to be able to go somewhere new and experience that atmosphere.' An England XV take on a France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham later this month before travelling to Argentina for their series opener in the capital on July 5. One familiar face Steward will encounter is Tigers teammate Julian Montoya, a veteran of the South American rugby scene having racked up nearly 100 caps over the last 11 years. Steward is excited at the prospect of a reunion with the experienced hooker and is similarly keen to explore some of the culture away from the pitch on the squad's travels. 'I think I might see Julian [Montoya] out there,' he added. 'He's an incredible player and he's always a tough opponent too, so I'll look forward to that. 'I think when you say Argentina, steak and wine comes into mind – we've also been looking at some golf courses so there will be some of that tourism going on. 'As soon as the sun comes out everyone gets the golf bug so yeah, it's a very popular pastime in the group.' I've heard it's incredible to be a part of so it'll be a good challenge for us, but I'm looking forward to it.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Freddie Steward eyeing new role in England team on summer tour
Freddie Steward is relishing his newfound leadership role ahead of an 'amazing' maiden trip to the Americas this summer. The Leicester Tigers full back, 24, forms part of a 33-strong training squad ahead of England 's visit to both Argentina and the USA next month. Those three clashes – two against the Pumas in Buenos Aires and San Juan and one against the Eagles in Washington – fall during the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia meaning many of Steve Borthwick 's leading senior stars will be absent for the transatlantic fixtures. That has thrust Steward, who has earned 36 caps since his debut in 2021, into an enhanced level of responsibility and the Norfolk-born star can't wait to share his insight with some of the younger generation getting their first taste of international action. 'This is an opportunity for lads who haven't had one yet to show what they can do,' he said. 'I think it would be a waste to not try and share some of that experience with the lads coming in, so leadership is something that I'll try and add to this group. 'We've still got some old heads in the room – the likes of George Ford and Jamie George with that experience so it's a good mix. 'It feels like the first day back at school at training with a lot of fresh faces, so it's good to see everyone again and we're all really excited for it. 'It'll be amazing. I've never been to any of the Americas – South or North – so I'm dead excited to be able to go somewhere new and experience that atmosphere.' An England XV take on a France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham later this month before travelling to Argentina for their series opener in the capital on 5 July. One familiar face Steward will encounter is Tigers teammate Julian Montoya, a veteran of the South American rugby scene having racked up nearly 100 caps over the last 11 years. Steward is excited at the prospect of a reunion with the experienced hooker and is similarly keen to explore some of the culture away from the pitch on the squad's travels. 'I think I might see Julian [Montoya] out there,' he added. 'He's an incredible player and he's always a tough opponent too, so I'll look forward to that. 'I think when you say Argentina, steak and wine comes into mind – we've also been looking at some golf courses so there will be some of that tourism going on. 'As soon as the sun comes out everyone gets the golf bug so yeah, it's a very popular pastime in the group. I've heard it's incredible to be a part of so it'll be a good challenge for us, but I'm looking forward to it.'
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steward steers Leicester to victory at Bristol to boost title push
Freddie Steward secures the try bonus point for Leicester. Photograph: Steven Paston/PA In theory it was a day for Bristol to consolidate second place and reaffirm their Premiership title credentials. The sun shone, the pitch was hard and fast and the free-scoring Bears welcomed back the inspirational wing, Gabriel Ibitoye, after a four-month injury absence. In reality, however, what materialised was a largely dominant victory for Leicester that saw them overhaul Bristol and take second place, on points difference, with four matches remaining. Michael Cheika's one-year assignment as Tigers coach will soon be over, but the possibility of him departing a Premiership champion cannot be discounted. Advertisement Related: Gloucester fans ruffle feathers in boisterous start for experiment The memory of last December's return fixture had loomed over the buildup, when Pat Lam's side stuck 54 points on their opponents at Welford Road. 'We realise there will be a bit of vengeance coming back at us,' Lam told TNT Sports before kick-off. He was right. The Tigers were hurt by that festive humiliation, no doubt, but might also have reminded themselves the Bears were thrashed 38-0 at home by Sale a week later, the night that Ibitoye was injured. Here, too, Bristol seamlessly switched from the sublime to ridiculous. Adam Radwan's try had put the visitors in front when Bristol's Kalaveti Ravouvou made a burst into their 22 on 11 minutes. He looked isolated after being dragged down, but the covering Tigers defenders could not have imagined the vision and accuracy of a frankly ludicrous one-handed offload promptly arrowed by Ravouvou to Ibitoye, who lurked near the touchline. The wing made the finish look easy. Soon came the ridiculous. With Bristol's attack apparently starting to tick, Ibitoye's overly ambitious pass drifted into the grateful hands of an onrushing Ollie Hassell-Collins, near halfway, and the wing was gifted a clear run to the line. Jack van Poortvliet soon scored a third try for Leicester and when Handré Pollard added a penalty to his two conversions, it added up to a 22-5 half-time lead for Cheika's side. Not the script Lam had in mind. The only downside for Leicester was losing Joe Heyes to the sin-bin for an accidental high shot on Fitz Harding. Advertisement Still, this being Bristol, it felt unlikely that the Tigers would serenely close out the win. Ravouvou was duly sent scorching in under the posts six minutes after the break and when AJ MacGinty converted, the Bears were back to within 10. Bristol's attacking potency remained a worry but when the Bears fluffed a defensive lineout on 63 minutes, the full-back Freddie Steward applied a classy finish, securing a try bonus point in the process. Game over? Not a bit of it. Harry Randall's sniping effort for Bristol again made it a 10-point game and their offloading excellence continually asked questions of a tiring Tigers rearguard. Randall would touch down again with six minutes left, after being hauled down near the posts by Leicester's replacement scrum-half Ben Youngs, but had knocked on after getting back to his feet. A converted try then would have reduced their arrears to three points with a couple of minutes to play. It wasn't to be and Cameron Henderson even smashed over for a fifth Leicester try, converted by Jamie Shillcock with the last kick. Considering Bristol's tricky looking run-in – Northampton and Sale away, Bath and Quins at home – if they don't improve on this showing their season could go south quickly. Fresh disappointment may loom for the Bears' faithful fans, while Cheika's men appear to be moving through the gears.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Steward and Henderson sign new Tigers deals
England full-back Freddie Steward and Scotland lock Cameron Henderson have signed new deals with Leicester 24, has featured more than 100 times for Tigers' first-team since first emerging from the club's academy in has scored five tries in 13 Leicester appearances this season and has been named as England's starting full-back for their Six Nations opener against Ireland on 25, who has been called up to the Scotland squad for the competition, is in his second spell as a Tigers player, having re-joined them in 2020 after leaving them as a Henderson and Steward spoke of their delight in committing their future to Tigers, with the full-back saying he is "hungry to contribute to the club's success". Tigers head coach Michael Cheika, who is midway though a one-year deal with Leicester, said of Steward: "He's a player who puts his all into everything he does."He puts his body on the line. I'm very happy he will be part of the club for the coming seasons," he told the club website, external.
The Guardian
26-01-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Freddie Steward backs decision to introduce 20-minute red cards in Six Nations
Freddie Steward has praised the Six Nations' decision to introduce 20-minute red cards in this season's championship, hailing it as 'good for the game'. The England full-back was shown a red card against Ireland in Dublin two years ago which was subsequently rescinded and he believes the game's increasingly fine margins makes the new initiative a fairer solution. Under the new approach, England would now be able to replace Steward with another player after 20 minutes rather than having to play the rest of the match at a numerical disadvantage. 'The bunker stuff is really good,' insisted Steward. 'It has such a significant impact on Test matches, as you saw in that game. It needs to be the right decision because it shapes campaigns for teams. You can lose games on a decision. It really kills you. I am glad they have taken strides to get it right.' Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Steward also thinks the initiative potentially gives supporters of both teams better value for money. 'You have seen red cards ruin Test matches,' he said. 'You can almost hear the groans of fans of the team who still have 15 on the field because they want a proper contest.' After the 2023 incident, when Steward was dismissed following a collision with Hugo Keenan, a disciplinary committee concluded the full-back should only have received a yellow card. Ireland, who were leading 10-6 at the time, went on to seal a 29-16 win. This time around Steward is hoping for a happier experience should he get the nod to start at full-back. The 24-year-old was dropped last season and told to improve aspects of his game by the head coach Steve Borthwick, but his aerial 'super strength' is now back in vogue following the lawmakers' clampdown on 'escort' runners trying to block chasers from reclaiming high balls. Steward, accordingly, has been studying Australian Rules football to further enhance his technique and help him to defuse any 'bombs' that are hoisted his way. 'A lot of the focus now is on how you can dominate the contest itself and create space. I've been studying a lot of AFL footage with the coaches at Leicester, looking at the way those guys use their knees to propel them to a higher level and win that collision,' he said. 'It's difficult with these new laws. It's not often now you see clean catching and players coming down with the ball. You can get exposed very easily. The decision-making in those split seconds has to be so good. You've got to come in with speed now because if you get stuck under the ball you can't generate the height and momentum to knock back the guy coming forward. It's a proper contest which is good.'
