Leicester Tigers’ star fullback Freddie Steward bared his soul in a candid interview with The Telegraph, confessing to feeling a sense of disappointment after being axed from the England squad.
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Despite being a standout performer for the past couple of years, Steward was blindsided when he was omitted not just from the starting lineup but from the matchday 23 altogether, making way for George Furbank.
In his exclusive conversation, Steward admitted to grappling with the blow but reaffirmed his unwavering ambition to represent England, squashing any speculation about a potential move abroad.
On his chat with the England boss, Steward told the Telegraph: “it was such a small conversation but it created so many emotions”
“Playing for England means everything to me,” Steward states. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do and every time you pull on that shirt is special.
“When you don’t get that opportunity, it hurts. That first week in particular, and the following week were difficult. I did struggle.
“But as much as I was deflated and upset – because all you want to be is in that 23 and playing – I still had that responsibility to help the team. My role was just different and I didn’t ever want my disappointment to ebb into the team or to take away from the environment.
“It was really challenging; up there with the most challenging weeks of my career, definitely. For me, it was understanding that this is sport and it happens. I was certainly not the first for it to happen to and I definitely won’t be the last. It was a case of dealing with those emotions.”
He added: “It is hard because you can’t escape from it,
“You find out the news and you can’t just go home and be around your family and spend time away. You’re in camp and you still have a job to do.”
Highest-paid rugby players in the world:
The recent disclosure of the earnings of some of rugby’s most prominent figures illuminates the lucrative landscape at the pinnacle of the sport.
As reported by Wales Online, let’s delve deeper into the earnings of today’s highest-paid rugby players.
Siya Kolisi (South Africa) – £800,000
Siya Kolisi, the inspirational Springbok captain, has enjoyed considerable success both on and off the field. His reported salary of £800,000 at Racing 92 reflects his value to the team and his standing as one of the sport’s most influential figures.
Maro Itoje (England) – £800,000
Maro Itoje, the towering English lock, has been the subject of considerable speculation regarding his future earnings. While his reported salary of £800,000 with Saracens is impressive, potential hybrid deals with the RFU could see his income increase even further, highlighting his importance to both club and country.
