By Leipziger
September 24 2004

Michael Stephenson

Since making his league debut away to Bristol on Easter Sunday 2000, the Mackem Express has established himself as one of the first names on the Newcastle team sheet whether as a full-back or most often on the wing. With 88 appearances (86 as starts) and 20 tries in Premiership rugby (up to end of 2003/04) to his name, Michael Stephenson is one of the Falcons most important yet underrated players.

Never one to make the headlines in a team including Jonny Wilkinson, Jamie Noon and Stuart Grimes, Stevo quietly gets on with the job of terrorising defences throughout Western Europe with his searing pace and try-scoring abilities while also making excellent tackles in defence of his own line. It says a lot that when he was injured at home to Harlequins at New Year 2004 and was originally ruled out for three months, we actually worried more what we would do without him than we had when Wilkinson was injured a week earlier!

A twice-Cup winner with the Falcons, Stephenson has also won three caps for England as part of the side that toured North America during the Lions tour in 2001. Since then, he hasn’t really had a look-in, and while I do not contend that Jamie Noon deserves a call-up, Stevo can’t be far behind.

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Profile last updated 24/09/2004