Steward prepares new plan of attack

FREDDIE Steward has the safest pair of hands in the Premiership and is now set on finding his feet as an attacking force.

- PAUL REES

The 6ft 5ins, 24-year old Leicester full-back made an instant impact on the professional game, winning the first of his 35 England caps two years after making his Tigers debut.

He was the England men’s player of the season in 2021-22 and when his club coach Steve Borthwick took over from Eddie Jones as England’s head coach at the end of the year, his international future looked as secure as he was under the high ball.

But since losing his place to George Furbank after the second round of this year’s Six Nations, Steward has only started two Test, the second in New Zealand in the summer and against South Africa last month when he was recalled to deal with an anticipated aerial barrage.

Furbank was restored for the next game against Japan with Borthwick determined to evolve England’s attacking game and the Northampton captain was seen as an extra playmaker at fullback while Steward was considered solid.

Furbank faces missing the entire Six Nations campaign after suffering an arm fracture playing for Northampton against the Bulls last weekend and Steward hopes the work he has put in in his running game this season will have been noticed by Borthwick and his coaches.