Leeds Rhinos rugby league prospect Iwan Stephens has switched codes to join Newcastle Falcons’ senior academy.
The 18-year-old England Academy international joins the Falcons on a two-year deal, and the goal-kicking winger is already in pre-season training with his new club.
Iwan has played both codes of rugby, and was part of Yorkshire Carnegie’s Developing Player Programme up until the age of 15 before committing to rugby league.
He has rugby union pedigree in his family, with dad Colin Stephens having played fly-half for Wales, Llanelli and Leeds Tykes.
Colin was capped four times by the Welsh national team in 1992, the same year he kicked two drop-goals in Llanelli’s famous victory over then world champions Australia, and is now director of rugby union at Leeds Beckett University.
Newcastle Falcons academy manager Mark Laycock said: “Iwan has got a very professional attitude and a good head on his shoulders, which, combined with his natural ability, makes him a really exciting signing for us.
“To begin with he will play on the wing while he re-acquaints himself with rugby union, but he has all the skills and capabilities to play full-back too in the longer term.
“He kicks goals, scores tries for fun and he’s a really evasive runner with outstanding athleticism. He’s prepared to give professional rugby union a really good crack, he fits our style of play and it’s a great project for both parties.”
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Code-swappers: 5 of the WORST Rugby Converts
RUCK takes a look at some of the people who have set a pretty low bar for rugby cross-code converts.
1. Lesley Vainikolo -Rugby League to Rugby Union
The 'volcano' never quite erupted in the 15-a-side game after switching codes in 2007. The former New Zealand international in rugby league won five caps for England in 2008, without scoring a try.
2. Henry Paul - Rugby League to Rugby Union
A turbulent career in both codes, Paul is also a former New Zealand international in rugby league but his appearances for England were dreadful. He returned for his rugby league swansong with Harlequins in 2006 before switching back to Leeds Carnegie to help them to achieve Premiership promotion in 2010. Now a commentator in league .
3. Sam Burgess -Rugby League to Rugby Union
Sam Burgess left the South Sydney Rabbitohs after he led them to the 2014 NRL Premiership to try his hand at Rugby Union and he made it all the way the Rugby World Cup, but he spent the majority of his time in the bench for the awful English side.
The video below makes it seem as though Burgess was some kind of Rugby Union god, but we can confirm that this was far from reality!
4. Benji Marshall - Rugby League to Rugby Union
Sam Burgess’ stint in Rugby Union can be classed a failure, but he was still able to represent his country and he was far from the worst league convert in the game they play in heaven.
That title belongs to Benji Marshalll – who managed to make enemies from the time that he signed with the Blues and he was nothing short of an embarrassment during his very brief stint in Super Rugby.
5. Israel Folau – Rugby League to AFL
Israel Folau joined Karmichael Hunt in the AFL after being offered a massive deal with the Greater Western Sydney Giants and despite his natural athleticism Izzy was never able to make it in the AFL.
Thankfully, his third code swap was far more successful and he has developed into a key member of the Wallabies side, but anybody that watched his kicking during the his time with the Wallabies would question how anybody ever thought he could make it in the AFL.
