Freddie Steward still "sore" about England's Rugby World Cup semi-final loss upon Leicester Tigers return

Freddie Steward has admitted England's dramatic Rugby World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa is "still very raw".

The full-back has now returned to club duties for Leicester Tigers, alongside England team-mates Ben Youngs, Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole and George Martin, Argentina’s Julian Montoya and South Africa’s World Cup winners Handre Pollard and Jasper Wiese.

A highlights reel was played to the team after the World Cup contingent made their return. The compilation featured Pollard's 77th-minute winning penalty which sent South Africa through to the tournament’s final at the expense of England.

"That was the nail in the coffin for us, which was a bit sore, but the boys found that funny," Steward told BBC Radio Leicester. "I don't think I'll get over that game for a long time.

"It's a tough one to talk about because, on one hand, you are unbelievably proud of an incredible performance, the way we went about our work that night and how close we got.

"Then, on the other hand, there is the disappointment of getting within one point of the world champions, so it is a difficult one to reflect on. The emotion is still very raw."

Steward saw the defeat as motivation to avoid similar results in the future.

"If anything, it adds fuel to the fire," he said. "Having experienced that now, I know I certainly don't want to be in that headspace again, it was emotional at full-time.

"When you get to within that fine of a margin it really hurts and it's hard to deal with, but we were fortunate to have the third and fourth place final and we got that reward at the end."

Leicester Tigers will host Harlequins on Saturday after a difficult start to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby season. The side are second from bottom after just one victory against Bath, losing to Saracens last weekend.

Tigers manager Dan McKellar will be hoping the return of his international players will give the team a boost.

In contrast, Harlequins are second in the table with three wins from four matches, most recently beating Newcastle at the Twickenham Stoop.

"I'm glad the first one back is a home game, I just can't wait to be back and run out there," Steward said.

"Mattioli Woods Welford Road is a lot smaller than the Stade de France and Twickenham, but there is something special about it.

"As a guy who has come through the academy, who has supported Leicester for a long time, I don't think it will ever be a challenge to get up for a game there. I can't wait to pull the shirt back on with these guys and run out there and enjoy it."

Live coverage of Leicester’s match against Harlequins will commence on Saturday at 15:00 on TNT Sports 1.

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