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.
Denne historien er fra December 29, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 29, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Gallagher's late brace proves key for Caldy
CALDY built upon recent improved performances against London Scottish and Ealing to record a bonus point win against fourth placed Nottingham in a thrilling battle at Paton Field.
Leicester gunning to take down a legend
MICHAEL Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions Cup mission impossible in Toulouse today and upset his children in the process.
Charnock the class has to end Havant resistance
A MUCH improved second-half performance saw Westevencombe Park tually overcome a spirited Havant side who looked like providing an upset for much of the game.
Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart
A STORMING second-half mance saw perforQuins romp to a seven-try victory on the road.
Williams is poised to shift up a gear
TEDDY Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with a Wales call-up.
Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle
ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.
Borthwick: It's time to put our foot down
STEVE Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to problem England's in closing out matches be even quicker out of the blocks in the upcoming Six Nations.
Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain
AS Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester's match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that his career was over.
Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller
A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.
Barritt backing the new boys
BRAD Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to be a powerhouse in the competition again.
