Freddie Steward

Freddie Nicholas Overbury Steward (born 5 December 2000) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for Premiership Rugby club Leicester Tigers and the England national team.

Early life Steward started playing rugby at Swaffham RFC, but at ten years old he moved to Holt RFC as Swaffham's age group folded. He initially played fly half, before moving to inside centre at Norwich School and settling at full back at 16. Steward came through the Leicester Tigers academy.

Club career Steward made his senior debut as a replacement on 26 January 2019 in a 47–20 defeat to Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Two weeks later Steward was back playing for Leicester's under-18 side as they won a second successive league title.

Steward was a late call-up to the bench on 8 March 2019 to make his Premiership Rugby debut as a replacement in a 32–5 defeat to Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium. His first appearance at Welford Road was in a Premiership Rugby Cup on 27 September 2019 against Exeter Chiefs. Steward scored his first try for Leicester in a 2019-20 European Rugby Challenge Cup against Calvisano.

Steward was highlighted as one of the potential breakout players in the 2019-20 Premiership Rugby season by Rugbypass.

He started the 2022 Premiership Rugby final as Tigers beat Saracens 15–12. On his first match for Leicester of the 2022-23 Premiership Rugby season, Steward scored a hat-trick in the 250th East Midlands derby as Leicester beat Northampton 41–21. On 28 September 2022, Steward extended his contract at Leicester. Steward made his 100th appearance for Leicester on 11 January 2025 in a Champions Cup match against Ulster at Welford Road.

International career On 3 January 2020 Steward was named in the England under 20 squad for the 2020 Six Nations Championship. Steward made his full England debut on 4 July 2021 when he started at full back against the at Twickenham. He scored his first England try on 13 November 2021, after taking a pass from Marcus Smith he rounded full-back Kurtley Beale for a first half score as England beat 32–15.

In May 2022 Steward was named as the Rugby Players' Association Player's Young player of the year and England men's player of the season, as well as being named in their inaugural under-23 team of the season.

Steward was selected for the 2022 England rugby union tour of Australia, starting at full back in all three tests as England won the series 2–1.

On 21 November 2022, Steward was named in World Rugby's team of the year as the best full back. On 17 May 2023, Steward was named for the second year in succession as the Rugby Players' Association England men's player of the season.

On 7 August 2023, Steward was named in England's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Steward sometimes kicks penalties from long range.

Career statistics List of international tries

13 November 2021 Twickenham Stadium, London, England

2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals

20 November 2021 Twickenham Stadium, London, England

2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals

19 March 2022 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France

2022 Six Nations Championship

16 July 2022 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia

2022 England rugby union tour of Australia

12 November 2022 Twickenham Stadium, London, England

2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals

19 November 2022 Twickenham Stadium, London, England

2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals

11 March 2023 Twickenham Stadium, London, England

2023 Six Nations Championship

17 September 2023 Stade de Nice, Nice, France

2023 Rugby World Cup