Stephens junior looks as if he’s a chip off old block

IWAN Stephens, son of former Wales fly-half Colin Stephens, has taken a huge stride towards the rugby league big time by signing his first professional contract, with Leeds Rhinos coaches hailing him as “an exciting talent”.

Dad Colin piled up 1,686 points in 212 games for Llanelli between 1988 and 1995, after taking over from Jonathan Davies in the No. 10 jersey at Stradey Park, his career hitting a clublevel high with a man-of-the-match performance against then world champions Australia in 1992, the year in which he won four caps for Wales.

Four seasons later he had left Welsh rugby for Leeds, lured by the offer of a development officer’s position.

Now one of his sons is starting to make a name for himself.

Dual-qualified Iwan has been evoking memories of his father with his electric pace and distinctive head-back running style, albeit in a different code. Super League champions Leeds have been sufficiently impressed to hand him a two-year deal which will see him feature for their Under-19 team.

It is a huge step forward for a young player who the Rhinos believe has the potential to go a long way.

“He’s an exciting talent,” said the club’s head of youth development, Simon Bell.

“Not only is he agile and quick, he also reads play well and is a bit thicker set than his dad.

“But if he proves to be as good as Colin, we will have some player on our hands.

“What is also great about him is he’s a good kid.

“We have high hopes for him, but he knows he has a lot of hard work ahead.”

His former age-grade coach, Mark Butterill, said: “Iwan has great agility and pace off the mark and can step off both feet and move in and away from players at high speed.

“He is a threat from anywhere on the field with ball in hand and is a real exciting talent.

“He was joint top try scorer this year with seven tries in five games.”

An accurate marksman in front of goal, Stephens junior also finished top points scorer despite missing the end of the campaign through injury.

It is still early days for him, but it isn’t inconceivable that further down the line he could have a decision to make over his international allegiance, with his dad born in Wales and his mother hailing from England.

“If he does ever get to play international rugby then we will be delighted because it will mean we have done our jobs and helped him realise his potential,” said Bell.

“I think his dad wants him to play for Wales while his mother, a Yorkshire lass, understandably wants him to throw his lot in with England, but, ultimately, I guess it will be up to Iwan.

“He is a level-headed boy who understands that his first priority is just to do as well as he can for his club team, then see where that takes him.

“This is a chance for Iwan and all the other boys who have won these contracts. All have them have ability, but all of them still developing to do.”