Freddie Steward is an English professional rugby player who plays for the England national team and the Leicester Tigers. Dubbed one of the most talented fullbacks of his generation, Freddie is slowly turning potential into reality.
Despite being only 25, Freddie has achieved significant success in rugby at both club and national levels. He is one of England’s current pillars and also the future.
With his rugby profile, as massive as it is, Freddie also has another side away from rugby. He is a devout family man, deeply in love, and also lives lavishly. Indeed, when away from rugby, Steward is an entirely different person.
PROFILE SUMMARY
Full name: Freddie Nicholas Overbury Steward
Date of birth: 5 December 2000
Age: 31 years
Place of birth: Dereham, England
Girlfriend: Madison Woan
Children: none
Height: 1.96 m
Weight: 107 kg
Position(s): Fullback, Wing
FREDDIE STEWARD EARLY LIFE, AGE
Born on 5 December 2000, Freddie Steward turned 25 years in December 2025. From a young age, Freddie had been in rugby, but not by his own will or strong passion for the game. It all started at Swaffham Rugby Club, where his older brother played rugby.
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His parents would then go with him and also asked him to play, but he hated rugby. However, they gradually introduced him to the game, and he eventually fell in love with the sport.
“I was adamant I wasn’t going to play rugby; I hated the idea of running around in the mud and all that stuff. And they sort of, I wouldn’t say forced me into it, but they slowly introduced me to it. And from then on, I fell in love,” he said, speaking of his early days.
At 10 years old, he moved from Swaffham to Holt RFC to further develop his talent as he grew up. At this time, Freddie played as a fly-half. A few years later, he enrolled at Norwich School for High School, where he showed his top talent, becoming one of the best players at the school.
At 16, he joined the Leicester Tigers academy, taking a significant step in his development.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
After impressing in the Leicester Tigers academy, Freddie Steward was ready for his debut. In January 2019, less than a month after he turned 18, Freddie had his senior debut. He came on as a replacement on 26 January 2019 in a 47–20 defeat to Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
In March the same year, he made a Premiership Rugby debut against Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium. By the end of the season, Freddie Steward was already rated among the potential breakout players in the Premiership Rugby season by Rugbypass.
Since then, Steward became a key player for the Tigers and even extended his contract in 2022. On 11 January 2025, he made his 100th appearance against Ulster at Welford Road.
ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM
After good performances with the Tigers, Steward found himself in the England Under-20 squad for the 2020 Six Nations Championship. He was called to the senior team the following year. On 4 July 2021, he made his England senior debut against the United States at Twickenham.
In May 2022, Freddie was named the Rugby Players’ Association Young Player of the Year and England Men’s Player of the Season. He was also part of the inaugural under-23 team of the season.
Later that year, in November 2022, he was named in World Rugby’s team of the year as the best full back. The following year, on 17 17 May 2023, he was called, for the second year in succession, the Rugby Players’ Association England men’s player of the season.
With such top quality and influence in the England national team, indeed, the coaching staff could not ignore him for the Rugby World Cup. Come 7 August 2023, Freddie Steward was named in England’s squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Since then, Freddie Steward has been a key player for the England national team. Freddie summed up what it means to him to play for England; he opened his heart.
“The best thing about playing for England, for me, is always the bit after the game when you go and see your family. I love that bit when the full-time whistle’s gone, and you go and see your family over by the side. Those are the moments I probably remember most fondly from what’s happened so far. It’s so nice to see the smiles on their faces, and it makes me feel great to see how happy and proud they are. It’s just a really nice moment,” he said.
FREDDIE STEWARD FAMILY BACKGROUND
Coming through from Norwich, a small, mostly rural area, Freddie Steward has strong family support. His father is Ben, and his mother, Jane Steward, had been the most important person behind Freddie’s success.
Since the beginning of his career, they supported him, nurtured him, and they continue to support him. Besides his parents, Freddie’s grandfather, Gabriel Bliss, had been behind his rugby journey. Mr Bliss even wanted to bet on Freddie’s chances of playing for England when he was young.
“I actually tried to get a bet on with a betting company of £100 that Freddie would play for England, but nobody would take me on”, Gabriel Bliss said.
Freddie Steward had two siblings, his brothers Harry and Guy, who also helped him. To this point, they continue to support him together with all the family members.
Speaking about his family, Freddie expressed how much they meant to him. “Family is the most important thing for me. I’ve always had a close relationship with my granddad. He and grandma always used to come around, my granny too. They used to come almost every week when we were young, pop around the house and see how we’re doing, and granddad has always said to me (I don’t know how he knew), but he always said to me, “I genuinely think you’re going to go and play for England,” he said.
FREDDIE STEWARD GIRLFRIEND
Besides his family, Freddie Steward has another pillar of strength in his girlfriend, Madison Woan. Madison is the daughter of former Nottingham Forest footballer and current assistant manager Ian Woan.
For some time now, Madison had been supporting Steward on and off the pitch. She goes to his matches and cheers him after the games.
In the past few years, Freddie and Madison had become one of the most famous rugby couples. Together they went on fancy holidays, like in the Caribbean, in the past few months.
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Indeed, it is only a matter of time before the two lovebirds take their relationship to another level.
FREDDIE STEWARD’S HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
One of the most prominent players in the England squad, Freddie Steward, stands tall at 1.96 m. His height gives him an aerial advantage over many players, allowing him to scan the pitch and anticipate threats and opportunities from the back.
He also weighs around 107 kg, making him a powerful player. Putting together his height and his weight, Steward is a strong man who is challenging to deal with in the pitch.