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Iwan Stephens
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Key Information
Iwan Stephens (born 24 March 2002) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Cardiff.
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]Newcastle
[edit]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][7] 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.[8] In April 2022, he signed a new two-year contract with Newcastle Falcons.[9][10]
Cardiff
[edit]In May 2024 it was announced that Stephens would join Cardiff Rugby for the 2024–25 United Rugby Championship.[7]
Stephens was named as Man of the Match on 26 October 2024, as Cardiff came back to beat Ulster, having been 0–19 down at half time, with Stephens scoring a try during the match.[11]
International career
[edit]Rugby League
[edit]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.[12]
England U20
[edit]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.[13] Later that year in July 2022 he scored his first try for England U20 in a 37-36 defeat against Ireland.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Stephens is the son of Welsh former rugby international Colin Stephens who after his rugby career became head of rugby at Leeds Beckett University.[15][16]
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 (3 October 2021). "Iwan Stephens". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Cardiff sign Wales-qualified wing Stephens from Newcastle". BBC Sport. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 24 June 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. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Thomas, Steffan (28 October 2024). "Winners and losers as star puts down marker and embarrassing situation unfolds". Wales Online. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Orders, Mark (1 May 2021). "Welsh rugby cult hero's son with 'outstanding athleticism' looks to make it big after joining English Premiership from Rugby League". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "Newcastle Falcons re-sign two players". Premiership Rugby. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ O'Sullivan, John (5 July 2022). "Sam Prendergast kicks Ireland under-20s to last ditch victory over England in Verona". Irish Times. Retrieved 24 June 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". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 January 2024.