Leicester Tigers & England full-back Freddie Steward insists he is ignoring the internet trolls

Freddie Steward has learned not to get wound up by keyboard warriors as he winds himself up for a big finish to the season at Leicester Tigers.

The full-back copped it from social media trolls during the Six Nations when he was dropped for the last two games as England‘s tournament went into a tailspin.

Steward has blanked out the outside noise with Leicester challenging for the play-offs and places on the summer tour to South Africa and Argentina with Steve Borthwick‘s side on the learning curve.

And at the age of 25, he no longer listens to the views of online critics, unlike the young Steward, who broke into the England team in 2021.

Jumps on your back

Steward said: “I’m so used to it now. When you’re young, everyone tells you how good you are and you’re going to be the next big thing.

“Then, as soon as you make a few mistakes, very quickly the world jumps on your back and tells you that you’re rubbish.

“I’m mature enough now to not let it affect me. I certainly did in years previous.

“I try and stay away from it as much as I can, but to some extent it’s unavoidable. It just winds you up.

“In an England team, you’re either the best thing or the worst thing. It’s very hard to have that middle ground. It’s the way the world is now.

“You try not to take too much time caring about someone’s opinion who maybe isn’t as well-informed as they should be to make statements that they are.

“There are some fantastic fans out there. There’s plenty of them, but there’s also a minority, unfortunately, that are quick to tear a lot of players down.”

Looking forward: Freddie Steward in action for Leicester Tigers
PICTURE: Getty images

Long term

Steward’s Leicester will resume their Prem campaign on Saturday with an East Midlands derby against Northampton Saints.

Saints are top of the pile with Tigers tucked in in third spot under Geoff Parling, who arrived at Welford Road from Australia at the start of the season.

Parling is the eighth head coach or director of rugby, including temporary appointments like Richard Wigglesworth and Aaron Mauger, to be in post since Richard Cockerill was fired in 2017.

Steward added: “I’m only 25, I think I’ve had five or six.

“There’s no doubt that Geoff wants to be there long term and wants to build something. For us lads that have had so much change, that’s a really exciting prospect.

“If he wants to be here long term, it motivates you to be here long term, doesn’t it?”