Iwan Stephens Explained
| Iwan Stephens |
| Birth Date: | 2002 3, df=yes[1] |
| Birth Place: | Leeds, England |
| Height: | 170cm (70inches) |
| Weight: | 83kg (183lb)[2] |
| Relatives: | Colin Stephens (Father) |
| Ru Currentteam: | Cardiff |
| Ru Position: | Wing |
| Youthyears1: | –2020 |
| Youthclubs1: | Leeds Rhinos |
| Years1: | 2020–2024 |
| Clubs1: | Newcastle Falcons |
| Apps1: | 25 |
| Points1: | 55 |
| Years2: | 2024– |
| Clubs2: | Cardiff |
| Apps2: | 0 |
| Points2: | 0 |
| Repyears1: | 2022 |
| Repteam1: | England U20 |
| Repcaps1: | 5 |
| Reppoints1: | 10 |
| Clubupdate: | 24 June 2024 |
| Repupdate: | 24 June 2024 |
Iwan Stephens (born 24 March 2002) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Cardiff.
Early life
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
Stephens 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]
In May 2024 it was announced that Stephens would join Cardiff Rugby for the 2024–25 United Rugby Championship.[10]
International career
Qualified to play for England or Wales, Stephens 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.[11]
Stephens went on to represent the England U20 rugby union team, playing for the first time in March 2022 during the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[12] Later that year in July 2022 he scored his first try for England U20 in a 37-36 defeat against Ireland.[13]
Personal life
Stephens is the son of Welsh former rugby international Colin Stephens who after his rugby career became head of rugby at Leeds Beckett University.[14] [15]
Notes and References
- Web site: Iwan Stephens. Ultimate Rugby. 18 January 2024.
- Web site: Iwan Stephens. 18 January 2024. All.Rugby.
- Web site: 18 January 2024. Rugby World. Hotshot: Newcastle wing Iwan Stephens. Sarah. Mockford. March 9, 2022.
- Web site: NEWCASTLE FALCONS SWOOP FOR RUGBY LEAGUE PROSPECT IWAN STEPHENS. Premiershiprugby.com. 18 January 2024.
- Web site: 4 September 2020. Walesonline. Mark. Orders. Prodigiously talented son of Wales fly-half switches from rugby league to union in big move. 18 January 2024.
- Web site: 3 October 2021. The Rugby Paper. Adam. Ellis. Iwan Stephens. 18 January 2024.
- Web site: 29 September 2021. WalesOnline. Mark. Orders. Two gifted Welsh youngsters make huge mark as they are named in English Premiership team of the week. 18 January 2024.
- Web site: English Premiership club nail down former Wales fly-half's gifted son 'who has X-factor and gets supporters on their feet’. Mark. Orders. 13 February 2022. 18 January 2024. Walesonline.
- Web site: Iwan Stephens: Newcastle Falcons winger signs two-year deal with Premiership club. BBC Sport. 13 April 2022. 18 January 2024.
- News: Cardiff sign Wales-qualified wing Stephens from Newcastle. BBC Sport. 13 May 2024. 24 June 2024.
- Web site: 1 May 2021. WalesOnline. Mark. Orders. Welsh rugby cult hero's son with 'outstanding athleticism' looks to make it big after joining English Premiership from Rugby League. 18 January 2024.
- News: Newcastle Falcons re-sign two players. Premiership Rugby. 13 April 2022. 18 January 2024.
- News: Sam Prendergast kicks Ireland under-20s to last ditch victory over England in Verona. John. O'Sullivan. Irish Times. 5 July 2022. 24 June 2024.
- Web site: Iwan Stephens, son of Colin, makes try scoring debut for Newcastle Falcons. Pitchero. 18 January 2024. Dennis. Elam. 22 September 2021.
- Web site: 28 August 2022. WalesOnline. Mark. Orders. Son of a Wales fly-half shows dazzling footwork and leaves defenders in his wake to set up stunning try in England. 18 January 2024.
