Iwan Stephens, son of Colin, makes try scoring debut for Newcastle Falcons
Colin there to see Iwan score a try on his debut.
Former player and Head Coach was at Scatcherd Lane on Saturday to watch Morley v Pocklington and then at Harlequins on Sunday to watch his son Iwan's first senior game for Newcastle Falcons. Although Falcons lost, Iwan impressed on his debut and scored an exciting try. Iwan spen some of his junior days with Morley before going onto Rugby League at Leeds Rhinos.
From the Newcastle Falcons' web site
Having scored a try against the champions on his first team debut, Iwan Stephens insists last weekend is just the start for him at Newcastle Falcons.
The 19-year-old winger has rugby union pedigree through his father, Colin Stephens, the former Welsh international fly-half, but has risen through the rugby league ranks at Super League side Leeds Rhinos.
Spending last season learning the ropes with the Falcons prior to announcing himself on the Gallagher Premiership stage against Harlequins last Sunday, the fleet-footed Yorkshireman said: “To make my Premiership debut by starting against the champions was a great experience."
Rounding off a sensational try created by the jinking run of fellow winger Adam Radwan, Stephens recalled: “I just saw Radders running and I thought ‘I know he’s going to break the line here, so I just need to get on his shoulder. I managed to do that – I knew if I supported him there was a chance of a try – and it was great that it came off.”
Not a complete novice to rugby union, Stephens revealed: “When I was younger I played rugby league in the summer and union in the winter. I was at Drighlington rugby league club for the whole of the league season, playing full-back and a bit of stand-off, and then at Morley rugby union club during the rugby league off-season I was a winger.
“It was a difficult transition at first when I moved codes full-time to Newcastle, because it’s a completely different sport. At this level you’ve got a lot of things to think about rather than just doing one-up carries, but I’ve had a year to get used to it and I think I’ve benefited from that. ”
Cheered on for his debut by his father Colin, who kicked the winning drop-goals for Llanelli against Australia back in 1992, Iwan joked: “He gets the old videos out from time to time, but on a serious note he’s always been really supportive of me. He was at the game on Sunday and said he was dead chuffed for me, but I know it’s only the start."