England’s Freddie Steward urges law tweak to stop spoiling tactics in aerial battles

2026-01-29 - 16:21

Full-back wants one-handed ‘flapping’ outlawed Steward says it is now much harder to collect high balls Freddie Steward believes rugby union’s rulers should review the laws around contestable kicks that are making it “more difficult than ever” for those under aerial fire. With the Six Nations championship commencing next week, England’s full-back wants one-handed “flapping” by chasing players to be banned, with all jumpers required to make a two-handed effort to catch the ball. With the England coach, Steve Borthwick, suggesting he expects Wales to kick the ball “50 times” when they come to Allianz Stadium next weekend, Steward says it is now much harder to collect high balls with consistent success because of the spoiling tactics of onrushing opponents encouraged by the crackdown on defensive escort runners. Continue reading...