Iwan Stephens

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Iwan Stephens
Date of birth (2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 22)[1]
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight83 kg (13 st 1 lb)[2]
Notable relative(s)Colin Stephens (father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Winger
Current team Newcastle Falcons
Youth career
0000-2020 Leeds Rhinos
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020- Newcastle Falcons ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022 England U20

Iwan Stephens (born 24 March 2002) is an English rugby union player who currently plays for Newcastle Falcons.

Early life[edit]

Born in Leeds, Stephens began playing rugby league as an 11 year-old but also played rugby union for his local club Morley and was in the academy of Leeds Tykes until the age of fifteen. He is also a qualified joiner.[3][4]

Career[edit]

He left Super League side Leeds Rhinos to join the academy at Newcastle Falcons in September 2020.[5] Stephens scored a try on debut for Newcastle Falcons against Harlequins in September 2021.[6] He followed that up with a try in his second match, against Bath Rugby the next weekend and was named in the Rugby Premiership team of the week.[7] In April 2022, he signed a new two-year contract with Newcastle Falcons.[8][9]

International career[edit]

Qualified to play for England or Wales, he is a former England Academy rugby league international, and once scored a try and six goals in England Academy's 62-0 win over Wales in Llanelli.[10] Stephens went on to represent the England national under-20 rugby union team, playing for the first time in March 2022.[11]

Personal life[edit]

He is the son of Welsh former rugby international Colin Stephens who after his rugby career became head of rugby at Leeds Beckett University.[12][13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Iwan Stephens". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Iwan Stephens". All.Rugby. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  3. ^ Mockford, Sarah (9 March 2022). "Hotshot: Newcastle wing Iwan Stephens". Rugby World. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  4. ^ "NEWCASTLE FALCONS SWOOP FOR RUGBY LEAGUE PROSPECT IWAN STEPHENS". Premiershiprugby.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  5. ^ Orders, Mark (4 September 2020). "Prodigiously talented son of Wales fly-half switches from rugby league to union in big move". Walesonline. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  6. ^ Ellis, Adam. "Iwan Stephens". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  7. ^ Orders, Mark (29 September 2021). "Two gifted Welsh youngsters make huge mark as they are named in English Premiership team of the week". Walesonline.
  8. ^ Orders, Mark (13 February 2022). "English Premiership club nail down former Wales fly-half's gifted son 'who has X-factor and gets supporters on their feet'". Walesonline. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Iwan Stephens: Newcastle Falcons winger signs two-year deal with Premiership club". BBC Sport. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  10. ^ Orders, Mark (1 March 2021). "Welsh rugby cult hero's son with 'outstanding athleticism' looks to make it big after joining English Premiership from Rugby League". Walesonline.
  11. ^ "NEWCASTLE FALCONS RE-SIGN TWO PLAYERS". Premiershiprugby.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  12. ^ Elam, Dennis (22 September 2021). "Iwan Stephens, son of Colin, makes try scoring debut for Newcastle Falcons". Pitchero. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  13. ^ Orders, Mark (28 August 2022). "Son of a Wales fly-half shows dazzling footwork and leaves defenders in his wake to set up stunning try in England".