Freddie Steward's Leicester Tigers contract talks stall - according to report

Freddie Steward has reportedly 'failed to agree terms' on a contract extension with Leicester Tigers.

The 21-year-old was at the heart of Tigers' Gallagher Premiership title victory and ended the season by starting all three of England's Tests in the series success over Australia.

But the day after scoring in the 21-17 victory in Sydney, the towering full-back's future was brought into question by The Rugby Paper. The publication wrote that Steward could take 'advantage of a break clause in his contract in a similar fashion to Ellis Genge and George Ford - who joined Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks respectively this summer.

Steward, who now has 13 senior England caps after earning his debut against the USA a year ago, was named as the Rugby Players' Association's Young Player of the Year and England Men's Player of the Year in May.

The Rugby Paper has reported that it 'understands' that Tigers have 'failed to agree terms on an extension' to Steward's contract.

It would be a bitter blow for Tigers to lose a player of Steward's calibre having played a key part in the club's resurgence, rising from second bottom of the table to champions of England in two seasons.

Steward will have fresh competition for the 15 shirt in 2022/23 as versatile back-three player and fellow England international Anthony Watson joins from Bath.

"This is not the headline Leicester Tigers fans wanted to see the morning after seeing five Tigers - six if you include Ellis Genge who is yet to team up with his new club - helped seal a series win for England in Australia. The Rugby Paper has got a number of Tigers transfer rumours right in recent years.

"However, one would imagine that the club will move heaven and earth to keep Steward at Mattioli Woods