Colin Stephens? The new who tamed the Wallabies
international history, Grant Fox, Michael Lynagh, Andrew Mehrtens, Naas Botha and Hugo Porta, to name but a few.
“He was unfortunate to be playing at a time when Wales was not a rugby superpower.”
Whatever, Stephens went on to relish life at Leeds and continued to enjoy his rugby after moving on to Huddersfield, Sedgley Park – where he famously rearranged his honeymoon to play in a promotion play-off – and Morley, holding down playercoach and director of rugby responsibilities along the way.
There has even been time for a stint as kicking coach with Warrington Wolves, coinciding with a capped inside centre or outside-half lining up in the tournament.
Williams won’t be captured up by the 60-cap rule for international selection for Welsh exiles because his big-money deal with Gloucester has another two seasons to run.
But joining a Welsh region during the off-season would certainly help his chances of making Gatland’s squad and appearing at the World Cup. hugely-successful chapter club’s history.
And for the past 14 years he has filled a director of rugby role at Leeds Beckett University. In 2015, they won the BUCS Rugby title under his direction.
Regrets, then? Does he echo Frank Sinatra and proclaim they are too few to mention?
What do you think?
“You can’t have regrets,” he laughs. “Hells bells! You go through life making decisions and you do what you can to make the best of those choices.
“I loved my time in Wales and I love it up here as well. The work with the university is fantastically rewarding. in the
The signing of maverick England international Cipriani by Gloucester – they also have Billy Burns on their books – from Dai Young’s Wasps for next term has led to increased speculation over the future of former Scarlets and Leicester star Williams.
But, according to Dragons-bound hooker Richard Hibbard, leaving the west country outfit would be the last thing on the mind of his pal.
“Owen is a very resilient bloke. I know Gloucester have signed Cipriani, but Owen isn’t going to roll over for anyone,” said the Lions and Wales international. The standard is good and it is huge to see players develop during their time with us.
“Will I ever go back to Wales? It’s a big question and one I don’t have to answer right now because I’m really happy in my job up here.”
Stephens has two sons, Iwan (16) and Sam (12), both of whom are interested in sport.
Iwan, in fact, is starting to build quite a name for himself in rugby league, as a talented full-back with Leeds Rhinos under-16s. “We rate him very highly,” says Rhinos’ head of youth development, Simon Bell.
“Not only is he quick with great feet, he’s also agile and tough.
“Like his dad, he’s not massive, but
“He will want to fight for his place and has got another couple of years on his deal. He’s going to stay,” predicted Hibbard.
Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann insists Williams still has a future at Kingsholm, whether it’s at outside-half or wearing No.12.
“Owen is a professional, he’s played Test rugby at centre. He gives us a lot of opportunities and depth in that position,” said the South African.
“It’s good to know that we’ve got Owen with the ability to play at 12. It brings another dimension to our he will always have a go and he can be direct when he wants to be.”
Born in England, but qualified to play for Wales through his father, Iwan was drafted into the renowned Leeds academy at under-16s level at the age of 14 and is on course to secure a spot with the under-19s at the age of just 16.
There are whispers the England rugby league age-grade selectors are watching him closely.
Dad will go with the flow. “I have my opinions on who he should play for if ever it came to that,” laughs Stephens Senior. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. He’s only 16.”
Let’s flick back to the pressure flyhalves can be under in Wales. A year
game. Once a new season starts, everybody’s on the same page and the guy who wants to put on the jersey is the one that must show us in the pre-season and in the friendlies that he earns the jersey.
“Our squad is smaller and therefore we will want Owen to challenge at 10 but also at 12 as well.”
A shoulder injury put the Ystradgynlais product out of contention for next month’s Tests with South Africa and Argentina.
Meanwhile, outside-half Dorian Jones has become the latest player to leave the Dragons after signing a or so ago, Arwel Thomas described how he felt after breaking through into the national set-up: “At the age of 21, I didn’t know what hit me.
“Everyone has an opinion and they feel they are entitled to tell you, particularly if the team loses.
“It could be quite wearing.” Does Stephens empathise? “Absolutely,” comes the reply. “But I suppose scrutiny and pressure go with the territory.
“Certainly, if you are a 10 and you play for the Scarlets and for Wales you are in the spotlight.
“You just have to do your best. “I was 18 coming out of school when I joined the Scarlets.
“Within a year, Jonathan Davies, a superb player, had left for rugby league. I was lucky there were so many top players and top blokes at the club to help me along and it was wonderful to be involved in the win over Australia and the treble season and win caps for Wales.
“I played against some outstanding fly-halves, including Grant Fox, Joel Stransky and Aled Williams, a No.10 who always kept defences guessing, and I had to grow up quickly.”
The subject turns to ex-Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins. “Wow! What a coach!” says Stephens. “His time with Wales may not have worked out as he would have wanted, but you’d have to go a long way to find a better motivator and a more passionate coach than Gareth.
“He knows the game inside out and is still as enthusiastic today as he was 25 years ago.”
WalesOnline’s notepad is close to full, even if Stephens is willing to keep talking.
A day later, this writer speaks to the former fly-half ’s old Llanelli mate, Rupert Moon.
“You will have to go a long way to meet a better bloke than Colin,” says Moon. “He was only young when I joined Llanelli but he made me feel welcome and helped me to settle. We’ve been good friends ever since. A top man, Colin Stephens.”
It is hard to disagree.
His time in Wales may have ended sooner than it should have. But every career has twists and turns.
The key is to enjoy the ride, and Stephens has done that, on and off the field. A top man, indeed.
two-year deal with French Division Two side Angoulême.
Jones, the son of former coach Kingsley Jones, rarely got a look-in this season under new head honcho Bernard Jackman despite the Dragons failing to settle on a No.10 in the absence of Gavin Henson.
Dorian Jones started just four times under former Ireland hooker Jackman and was loaned to Worcester Warriors for the final four Premiership games of the Aviva Premiership campaign.
He scored 208 points in 66 outings for the Dragons.