Latest news with #Norfolk-born
Daily Mirror
6 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.'
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Youngs wants sixth Premiership title before retirement
Ben Youngs says he will dedicate everything he has left as a rugby union player to end his illustrious career with a sixth Premiership title with Leicester 35-year-old will retire as a one-club man at the end of the season, but with Tigers second in the table, he made it clear in Tuesday's announcement that his rugby "obituary" should not be written just talking to BBC Radio Leicester about his decision on Wednesday, the celebrated former England scrum-half determinedly looked forward to what he still has to play for rather than reliving all that he has done in 19 seasons in the professional Tigers' latest title tilt is now an attempt to give one of its greatest players a glorious farewell."We'll do our utmost, and I'll be part of it every day to try to make sure we end it the way I'd love to end it," Youngs said."We are keen to really get after it in the next few games to give ourselves the best chance to get a top-four finish and a home semi-final, which would be amazing."In terms of reflection, there is still much work to be done. And when it is, I'll reflect." His collection of Premiership titles, 332 Tigers appearances, four Six Nations crowns with England, four World Cup campaigns and a men's record 127 caps for his country has Youngs "full of contentment" in what few weeks remain of his playing Youngs has started just three of the 18 games he has featured in across all competitions this season, he has remained a crucial figure off the bench when called on to replace 23-year-old Jack van Poortvliet - a fellow Norfolk-born Tigers academy product that has gone on to star for club and head coach Michael Cheika has used Youngs to close out matches since his arrival last summer, with the playmaker embracing the role has seen out the campaign despite last year undergoing heart surgery and says he feels "fortunate" and "extremely privileged" to be able to dictate when his career would end."After this year I have nothing more to give to it [rugby]; I just haven't," he said."Whilst I still feel good and whilst I still love what I do, it just seems like the right time to walk away and be proud of that." With Youngs amassing a record amount of England caps over 13 years, Tigers boss Cheika spent a lot of time analysing the scrum-half's game as an opposition coach while at the helm of both Australia and was against Cheika's Argentina in 2023 that Youngs ended his international career, as England beat the Pumas in the third-place World Cup play-off in Australian coach could not help but laugh when asked what instructions he would give his players when trying to contain Youngs."Get him, bash him up, rip his head off and all those things," Cheika chuckled when listing what sort of tactics it would take to try to nullify Youngs."You have to be alert because he can hurt you with his pass, he could hurt you with his running and hurt you with his kick. And he can still do that."Cheika described having one-club man Youngs on his side for the past 10 months as "a pleasure", with the playmaker a valued figure in the dressing room as well as out on the pitch."He gives that bit of advice that he feels from around the group," Cheika said."He has been great for us whenever he has either started or come off the bench. He has been super competitive, which has been great."I have a lot of respect for him as a player and now as a person after I've got to know him. And I hope we can keep that friendship into the future."
