YOUNG GUNS
NEWCASTLE FALCONS WING
Adam Radwan may have turned into the poster boy of Newcastle Falcons but the story of cross-code winger Iwan Stephens is one which adds to the intrigue of Dean Richards' plans at the Premiership's flagship club of the north east.
Signed from Super League Leeds Rhinos to the academy at Falcons in the summer of 2020, Stephens turned heads with a try on debut against reigning champions Harlequins and passed himself through a sieve to score down the touchline in last week's win over Bath at the Rec.
Invited to an England U20s camp last month, Stephens got wind that a debut may have been in the offing when Falcons held him back as well as murmurs from his teammates.
“A few of the boys had mentioned the coaches had been impressed with how well I had been doing in training during pre-season,” Stephens, 19, told TRP. “I still wasn't expecting to get the start against Harlequins or anything, but I am happy with where I am after playing the last two games.
“It has been a really good start to the season and I'm glad I have had the opportunity given to me so far.
“My first try against Quins is probably the try that I'll value most. The one against Bath was a nice one to finish, but scoring on your debut I'll stick with that as being my favourite try out of the two.
“It was dead good to score in front of the home crowd. It was weird playing in front of so many people –I haven't experienced that before.”
Stephens, the son of former Wales international fly-half Colin Stephens, was encouraged to switch codes by his dad, the long-standing head coach of Leeds Beckett University.
“My dad convinced me to move over to Union, given his past in the sport, and said I should give it a shot,” said Stephens, who had played League since the age of 11. “I had nothing there for me on the Leeds Rhinos' side so thought I would go for it. “Newcastle came in for me and I chuffed that they did because I am really enjoying it here.
“I had never thought about leaving League but the opportunity came up last year and I thought ‘why not?'
So, I took the deci- sion to switch and I wouldn't say it has paid off yet by any means, but it has certainly got me somewhere and I am finding it good at Falcons. “I hope there is a lot more to come from me, play a few more games and show the camp what I can do.
“If I can do that I would then like to get into the England U20s squad. I am still eligible for them and hopefully I can get through the year without any injuries.”
