Iwan Stephens (born 24 March 2002) is an English rugby union player who currently plays for Newcastle Falcons.
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| Date of birth | 24 March 2002[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 83 kg (13 st 1 lb)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Colin Stephens (father) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
- ^ "Iwan Stephens". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "Iwan Stephens". All.Rugby. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ Mockford, Sarah (9 March 2022). "Hotshot: Newcastle wing Iwan Stephens". Rugby World. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "NEWCASTLE FALCONS SWOOP FOR RUGBY LEAGUE PROSPECT IWAN STEPHENS". Premiershiprugby.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ellis, Adam. "Iwan Stephens". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ Orders, Mark (29 September 2021). "Two gifted Welsh youngsters make huge mark as they are named in English Premiership team of the week". Walesonline.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Iwan Stephens: Newcastle Falcons winger signs two-year deal with Premiership club". BBC Sport. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "NEWCASTLE FALCONS RE-SIGN TWO PLAYERS". Premiershiprugby.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ Elam, Dennis (22 September 2021). "Iwan Stephens, son of Colin, makes try scoring debut for Newcastle Falcons". Pitchero. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ 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".
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