Freddie Steward urges a rethink of contestable kick laws
England full-back Freddie Steward has joined a growing chorus demanding a review of rugby union’s laws around contestable kicks. As the Six Nations tournament approaches, Steward argued that current interpretations are making aerial battles too dangerous and too unpredictable for players under constant high balls. He says the game risks losing its dynamics if refereeing and laws don’t evolve to address the spoiling tactics that have become increasingly common in modern rugby.
Contested aerials are a staple of the sport, but Steward contends that the rules around how players can challenge for a kick are being stretched in ways that disrupt both safety and flow. The England star pointed to a trend in which defenders time their jump to collapse or interfere with opponents during the flight of the ball, often leading to lengthy stoppages or, worse, collisions that injuries can multiply from. The concern is that such spoiling tactics not only endanger players but also erode the spectacle and fair competition that fans expect from international rugby.
Why a law tweak matters now
Steward’s call for a law review comes at a critical juncture. The Six Nations, which begins soon, will showcase some of the best contestable kick specialists and aerial receivers. In recent matches, players in both hemispheres have highlighted the fine line between legal contest and dangerous play. A clearer framework could help referees adjudicate contestable situations more consistently, reducing gray areas that allow opportunistic spoiling to go unpunished or over-penalized.
Proponents of reform argue that improved clarity would enhance player safety by discouraging dangerous challenges on the airborne players. It would also preserve the attacking potential of kicking strategies, ensuring teams retain incentive to execute accurate kicks without inviting reckless tipping and clashes in the air. Steward’s stance aligns with a broader push for game management that supports fast, skilful play while reducing the risk of high-impact collisions in messy aerial contests.
What could a change look like?
Any potential adjustment would likely focus on several core areas. First, it could tighten definitions around what constitutes fair jump, fair contact, and what happens when a player making a legitimate contest is interfered with by an opponent whose intent is to spoil rather than play the ball. Second, refereeing protocols could be adjusted to encourage quicker replays and more decisive sanctions when clear foul play is detected in the air. Third, guidance for teams on how to structure training around safe and legal contestable kicks could be issued to minimize risky challenges and promote technique that protects both ball carrier and jumper.
England’s star full-back has emphasized that any changes should not trivialize the skill involved in contestable kicking. He maintains that the aerial phase remains a vital part of rugby’s balance between set-piece mastery and dynamic backline play. The aim is to strike a pragmatic balance where players can contest loyally and safely, while referees have a more straightforward framework to adjudicate contact and obstruction during the flight of the ball.
Implications for England and the Six Nations
For England, a successful law tweak could reduce injury risk and help maintain match tempo, especially in the lead-up to high-stakes European and world-stage fixtures. It would also send a message that the sport is serious about protecting athletes at every level without stifling strategic kicking play. As the Six Nations unfolds, teams will be watching closely how officials apply the laws within aerial battles, and Steward’s call could accelerate a formal review that some argue is long overdue.
Ultimately, the initiative reflects a proactive mindset within rugby’s governing circles: refine the rules to keep players safe, reward skill, and preserve game pace. Whether the lawbook will be amended in time for the Six Nations remains to be seen, but Steward’s public appeal has certainly amplified the debate about how best to manage contestable kicks in the air.
