Former rugby league internationalist Steadman has been recruited following successful stints with both Munster and Ireland.
But, wherever his travels have taken him, Steadman admits he has seen few who are as powerful and committed in the tackle
as 30-year-old White, who launched his career at Watsonians before heading south to join Sale Sharks via the Glasgow professional team.
"Without question Jason White is a player I will be highlighting on a number of occasions in terms of technique and what is required to make a dominant tackle. He can be a role model," said Steadman in recalling how the flanker's reputation often went before him.
"When I was Ireland's defence coach players who were facing Jason used to watch out for him."
White missed out on the summer tour of Argentina to have knee surgery but returned last Friday when he came off the bench for Sale after an hour of their eventual 9-6 win over Bristol.
As 61-times capped White now begins to lend momentum to his comeback Steadman intends to ensure he and all the other exiles unable to attend Scotland's opening training session yesterday due to club demands are kept fully briefed now that he has taken over a role previously held by Alan Tait.
Here, Steadman intends to take advantage of the fact that he is based in Yorkshire when not required at Murrayfield.
"It is out of the hands of the players who are in England that they couldn't attend training but it is important to make them feel part of things. When they arrive on the back of selection for the Autumn Tests they will then have a clear mind enabling them to perform to potential.
"Communication is a big part of our defensive structures and terminology and it is important that everybody understands and there are no excuses.
"I'll be at Sale on Friday (versus Gloucester) and then travel down to Gloucester so that everybody who is part of Scotland's plans moving forward is fully briefed."
Part of Steadman's job is to work with Edinburgh, whose bouncebackability from two opening defeats has proved particularly impressive.
"Edinburgh's form has been a bit inconsistent," he noted, adding: "I didn't think the score in Leinster (6-52) was a fair reflection on how they played and they were certainly very much in the game after 30 minutes.
"Then Edinburgh gifted a couple of tries allowing Leinster to develop momentum and confidence. When you have a team like Leinster playing well in their own back yard it is always going to be difficult to live with them.
"The important thing for (coach] Andy Robinson and his support staff is the response he got for the latest match, with Scarlets, who were beaten 32-12 last time out.
"To put 30 points on a team who were previously undefeated and at the top of the ladder was a step in the right direction and I chatted with a few Edinburgh players at the start of the Scotland training. There was definitely a different mood about them after getting a first win.
"Some potentially exciting players are coming through and since it is early season and most are a bit rusty I wouldn't want to apply added pressure by naming names. It is fair to say, though, the future is bright for Scottish rugby."
Steadman was speaking after making the draw for next May's "Murrayfield Magic" weekend when 14 top rugby league sides will descend on the Capital to play seven matches over two days.
Draw: Hull FC v Castleford Tigers, Salford v Harlequins, Huddersfield v Celtic Crusaders, Warrington v Hull KR, Wakefield v Bradford, Catalan Dragons v Leeds, Wigan v St Helens.
The full article contains 650 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
