Iwan crossed codes to join the Falcons’ senior academy in the summer of 2020, signing from Super League side Leeds Rhinos, and was promoted into the first-team squad in the summer of 2022.

Rugby union runs in the Stephens family, however, with Iwan’s father Colin being a former Welsh international fly-half who famously kicked Llanelli to victory over then world champions Australia back in 1992.

Colin’s playing career eventually took him to Leeds Tykes, with Iwan growing up playing both codes before specialising in rugby league with the Rhinos, prior to his Falcons move.

The jinking winger burst onto the Premiership scene with a try on his debut at home to Harlequins in September 2021, going on to score in his next game away to Bath. A serious knee injury curtailed his involvement in the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign, but he made his England Under-20s debut in Spring 2021, going on to represent them again that summer in the U20s Summer Series in Italy.

Stephens featured seven times for the Falcons during the 2022-23 season, scoring a try away to Wasps in Premiership Rugby Cup action.