Latest news with #SteveBorthwick
The Independent
11 hours 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.'
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Isiekwe ready to be part of England's action-packed summer
The versatile 6ft7in forward had open heart surgery in 2022 after being diagnosed with a dilated aorta, a condition which could have ended his career at the age of 24. Remarkably, within a year he was back making a match-high number of tackles at Allianz Stadium as Saracens defeated Sale Sharks to lift the Premiership trophy and he has continued to deal with the challenges life has thrown at him. Isiekwe missed this year's Six Nations through injury but was back with the England set-up as part of a 33-man training squad, featuring 14 uncapped players, who assembled at Pennyhill Park this week as he sets his sights on being part of an action-packed summer. Steve Borthwick's side begin with a visit from a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21 before travelling to Argentina for two Tests and rounding off with a clash against USA in Washington DC. 'To be back in with England is brilliant, having missed the Six Nations,' he said. 'I bumped into Ben Curry at the start of this camp – we were on that '17 tour of Argentina together. 'It's quite nice to look back on. We were in that bracket back then of being young and I remember how much we had to take on in quite a short space of time. 'We've been around it for a little bit now so the shoe is on the other foot - but it gives everyone a new perspective and new energy.' Isiekwe was one of several youngsters selected for the trip to take on Los Pumas eight years ago, several of whom – including Ellis Genge, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Henry Slade – have gone on to become England stalwarts in the time since. If selected this time around, the 11-cap 27-year-old will travel equipped with a fresh sense of perspective and look to make the most of soaking up the culture in South America. 'The 2017 tour was interesting, it was a bit of an information overload,' he said. 'It was our first year out of school and there was quite a big contingent of us at that stage. I remember having to absorb so much in a short space of time. 'I was probably a bit of a house cat on that tour, I stayed in the hotel quite a bit, but I remember walking around Buenos Aires and seeing how different it was, in terms of infrastructure and what the country is like. 'You get that sense of a different culture and it's nice to see it from that perspective. The rugby culture is different and the place is really interesting as well.' Isiekwe has gained an insight into what to expect from his Saracens teammates Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti, with friendships to be put aside should they end up sharing the field this summer. 'I've spoken to them about it and I have given them a few words I won't repeat here!' he said. 'We have played with Juan and Lucio for two seasons and they are great players in their own right, we know what they bring, they have a lot of stardust. 'When you step on the field, it's business time, but afterwards hopefully they might give me some of their mate, or whatever they're drinking.' England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Theo Dan ready to play the tourist on England tour to America
The Saracens hooker, 24, hopes to add to his 17 England caps in Argentina and the USA in the coming months as Steve Borthwick's side head across the Atlantic. They are destinations and cultures Dan is keen to soak up on and off the field and he has been tapping up some of his teammates at StoneX Stadium for an inside track. 'It would be my first time in Argentina and I've never been to the USA either, so it would be an amazing experience,' he said. 'At Sarries, we have Juan (Martin) Gonzalez and Lucio (Cinti) and we've spoken about it a little bit over coffees, asking them what it's like and about the stadiums we'll be playing in. 'They've both played in both of them and said it's unbelievable. One of them is a football stadium in Buenos Aires (home of Estudiantes) and the atmosphere there is one I'm really excited to experience. 'You have to be sensible, of course, but I try to be a tourist where I can, especially when you're going somewhere you've not been before. 'Japan was incredible, Tokyo was one of the best places I've ever been. I loved it there, and being able to explore bits of New Zealand was amazing as well.' Dan was one of five Saracens players in a 33-man England training squad who spent two days together at Pennyhill Park to prepare for an international summer which begins with an uncapped clash against a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21. His fellow hooker Jamie George is set to keep him company in South America while Tobias Elliot, if selected for the final touring squad, could make his England debut after a standout season on the wing. 'Tobias has been outstanding for us this year,' Dan said. 'It might feel like he's broken through from out of nowhere but for us at the club it's no real surprise. 'He has been knocking on the door for the past year in training, he has trained and played really well for Ampthill and in the Prem Cup. 'It's no surprise he's transitioned seamlessly into the Premiership and I'm really excited for him. I hope he takes it with both hands and enjoys it as it's a really good opportunity and he deserves it. 'Jamie is a great guy and one of my really close friends, I feel very lucky to call him that. 'He has been a great mentor to me and also the younger guys coming into camp, he is such a great guy to have around. 'He's able to share invaluable knowledge and he makes everyone feel welcome. He's an incredible asset to have in camp and day-to-day around the club.' England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
South Wales Argus
26-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Rekeiti Ma'asi-White sets his sights on England debut
The 22-year-old centre, known for his intensely physical playing style, has been touted as a possible replacement for the injured Ollie Lawrence after his brilliant form for Sale Sharks of late. Ma'asi-White has scored three tries in as many Premiership matches and received recognition for his fine form with a place in a 33-man training squad who gathered at Pennyhill Park this week. "Alex Sanderson and Byron McGuigan were pushing me to reach these camps and hopefully put my hand up," Ma'asi-White said. 'I think I've definitely put my hand up, but ultimately it's up to Steve Borthwick. "I have only ever focused on what I can control, and just keep progressing, get the head down and graft." Join us at @allianz_stad as England XV take on France XV 👊 Get your tickets now 👇 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 23, 2025 Ma'asi-White made his professional debut for Wasps in 2022 and was quickly snapped up by Sale after the Coventry side's demise. He has impressed his coaches with his incredible raw power and was pleased to see a familiar face in the form of former Sharks star McGuigan, among England's coaching staff in the two-day camp, to help him settle in during his maiden international experience. "Having Byron here has helped,' he said. 'It's nice to see some faces that you know. It gives you a bit of confidence especially within the coaching staff. "I'm super stoked for Byron to get this role and I'm sure he'll do a great job, too.' Ma'asi-White was among 14 uncapped players who were named in the training squad and hopes he will be able to advance his case in the Premiership play-offs with Sale Sharks. Having been beaten finalists two years ago and departed at the semi-final stage last year, Sharks are bidding to go one better this time around but need to beat Exeter on the final day to make sure of their spot in the top four. 'There's obviously a bit of nerves and pressure around because we've got to get the five points to secure our place in the play-offs but we'll be all guns firing,' he said. 'It'll be tough going away to Sandy Park, but we've just got to make sure we're not desperate for the five points and play our game plan.' With a wide array of midfield options available to Steve Borthwick ahead of the Argentina and America tour, Ma'asi-White's last opportunity to secure his spot on tour will be when an England XV take on a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21. Borthwick said: "We know France will have some players unavailable for selection, as we will. "We also know the depth they have in their country and in their squad. We spoke prior to the Six Nations as some of our clubs had had tough games against French opponents, so they went in with a lot of confidence against us. 'It is an important step for us and we are looking forward to playing in front of our own fans at Allianz Stadium." England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
Leader Live
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Cunningham-South winning fitness battle ahead of big summer
The Harlequins starlet may only be 22 but his 16 caps made him one of the more experienced players in the 33-man training squad who gathered at Pennyhill Park in the week. Cunningham-South was there to continue his rehabilitation from a calf injury and he is excited about what the young group can do in the tour of Argentina and the USA. "Where we can go next as a team is exciting," he said. "We've got a lot of young boys coming through, which is excellent, and I'm just excited to be a part of it, to be honest. "There's lots of new competition, given all the new lads around, and everyone wants to play, so it'll be good. "I'm just continuing my rehab and hopefully it keeps progressing so I'm ready for the summer. It's getting better, and I ran on Monday, so I'm there." Join us at @allianz_stad as England XV take on France XV 👊 Get your tickets now 👇 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 23, 2025 Cunningham-South has become an increasingly prominent part of Steve Borthwick's plans, with his ability to cover second row and back row proving invaluable. He scored twice against Australia last autumn and repeated the trick against Wales in Round 5 of the Six Nations earlier this year. Though Cunningham-South's place on the summer tour may therefore seem inevitable, he could arrive having not played any rugby for two months if he misses Harlequins' final game of the Premiership season against Bristol Bears. The England XV v France XV game at Allianz Stadium on June 21 would therefore become crucial for Cunningham-South's readiness to face a top-class Argentina side. England last faced Los Pumas away from home in 2017, a tour that proved crucial to the development of the likes of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, with Cunningham-South hoping to follow in their footsteps this time around. Borthwick said: 'Players emerged in that series against Argentina and really staked their claim two years out from the World Cup and became really important, influential players for England at the 2019 World Cup. "I have no doubt there will be players who emerge and stake their claim this summer, and say 'I want to be part of that team in 2027'. 'I'm looking forward to that. The enthusiasm, the energy and the excitement these young players bring is really, really impressive." England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
