The young Welshman is playing well so far this season. He has won the Regal Scottish Masters and the B&H Masters at Wembley. He also reached the final of the UK Championships, losing out to Mark Williams by ten frames to eight.

Stevens won the young player of the year award in 1998 the same season he reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship. He managed to arrive at the same stage the following season and will be using this year's Irish Masters as a practicing ground to improve his record.