Iwan Stephens, son of ex-Wales and Llanelli No. 10 favourite Colin Stephens, has signed a fresh two-year deal with Newcastle Falcons and been promoted into the club’s first-team squad.
The 20-year-old back-three man has been sidelined by injury for much of his season but made his international debut for England U20s last month and is rated highly by Falcons team boss Dean Richards.
“Iwan is an extremely exciting player who gets supporters on their feet and has a real X-factor about him,” said Richards. “He has come a long way in a very short space of time when you consider he was a virtual novice to rugby union just two years ago, but he is working hard on his game understanding and showing really positive progress.
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“With his pace and footwork he’s someone who makes things happen, and he’s another young, English-qualified player who fits into what we’re trying to build.”
Stephens previously figured on the books of rugby league outfit Leeds Rhinos. After he opted for a cross-code switch in 2020, he could have ended up playing in Wales.
But despite a couple of regions showing an interest they were slow to follow it up. Newcastle, by contrast, had already done their research and wanted him straightaway. Doubtless, the Kingston Park club viewed footage of the coast-to-coast try Stephens scored for Leeds Rhinos U19s before coming to their decision to reel him in two years ago.
He scored in each of his first three appearances in 15-a-side, against Harlequins, Bath and Wasps, and is delighted to pen a new deal, saying: “I see this as a really good opportunity for me. In my first year here I was just getting into it, and even though I’d played a bit of rugby union as a kid it was basically just a case of learning the game. This current season is my second in union, and it was great to have that spell at the start where I played against Harlequins and Bath, scoring in the games.
"I’m just looking to keep learning and improving over the next two and-a-bit seasons here.”
Though he won just five Wales caps, Stephens senior is fondly remembered in Welsh rugby and especially in west Wales, not least for his man-of-the-match display for Llanelli in their win over Australia in 1992. Iwan’s running style — head back, chest out, legs pumping furiously — has earned comparison with that of Colin.
A knee injury interrupted the youngster's progress, but he started the recent Premiership Rugby Cup game at Northampton and last weekend he crossed for a try in the 57-26 home win over Scottish side Heriots.
