Gareth Stephens

This article is about the 1990-2000s rugby league player for Leeds, Castleford, Sheffield, Halifax & York. For the 1960s-80s rugby league player for Castleford, Manly, Wigan, Warrington, Leigh, Halifax & York, see Gary Stephens.

Gareth Stephens (born 15 April 1974) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a stand-off or scrum-half in the 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain (Under-21s), and Wales, and at club level for Leeds where he signed a record schoolboy contract and made his first team debut at the age of 17, Castleford Tigers, Hull FC, Sheffield Eagles and York Wasps.^[2]

Gareth Stephens

Personal information
Full name	Gareth Stephens[1]
Born	(1974-04-15) 15 April 1974 (age 51) Pontefract, England[1]
Playing information
Position	Stand-off, Scrum-half
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1991–94 Leeds 35 5 0 0 20 1994–96 Castleford 26 4 0 0 16 1996–97 Hull FC 19 3 0 0 12 1997(loan) →Workington Town 0 0 0 0 0 1997–99 Sheffield Eagles 28 5 0 0 20 2000 Halifax Blue Sox 2001 York Wasps 4 0 0 0 0 Total 112 17 0 0 68 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1992–95 Great Britain U-21s 6 2 0 0 8 1995–98 Wales 4 2 0 0 8
Source: [2]
Father	Gary Stephens
Relatives	Dean Hanson (cousin)

Background

Stephens was born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England, and he is the son of Gary Stephens,^[3] former rugby league international footballer of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Gareth Stephens is also the cousin of Dean Hanson,^[4] the rugby league prop, second-row, or loose forward of the 1980s and 1990s for Halifax and the Illawarra Steelers.

Playing career

Club career

Stephens started his career at Leeds, making his début in September 1991.^[5] He was signed by Castleford for £65000 in July 1994.^[6] He went on to play for Hull FC, Sheffield Eagles, Halifax Blue Sox and York Wasps.^[7][8]

International honours

Stephens won caps at Great Britain academy and U21 level along with four caps for Wales between 1995 and 1998, including at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup.^[2]