Leicester Tigers and England full-back Freddie Steward says he is no longer willing to “wait on the edge for the magic to happen” as he focuses on becoming more of an attacking weapon for club and country.
The 6ft 5in 24-year-old is renowned for his aerial ability – with his aptitude for plucking the ball from the skies described by World Cup-winning South Africa boss Rassie Erasmus as “devastating”, while England head coach and Steward’s former Tigers boss Steve Borthwick has described it a “super strength”.
When Steward lost his place as England’s first-choice number 15 earlier in the year, he said he realised he would have to work hard on other areas of his game.
Against Bordeaux in Leicester’s opening European Champions Cup defeat earlier in the month the full-back gained a staggering 304 metres, including 240 metres from kick returns – both those tallies were the highest that stats provider Opta have recorded, external in a continental match since they began recording that data.
Another stat from the match showed he recorded 292 carry metres – more than any player has managed in the competition for five years.
He puts it down the the work he has done with Tigers head coach Michael Cheika and the club’s attack and back coach Peter Hewat.
“They have been fantastic for me,” Steward told BBC Radio Leicester.
“It comes down to confidence and a bit of bravery, putting myself in those positions and wanting the ball in my hands.
“I think over the last couple of years I’ve been too happy waiting on the edge and waiting for the magic to happen, so it’s been driven by the coaches that they want all us backs out there to get our hands on the ball, so it’s a bit more licence and I’ve been really enjoying it.”
