England under-20 Six Nations: Father-son dynasties powering the future
2025-01-26
Category: sports

Under-20s Six Nations: Ireland v EnglandVenue: Virgin Media Park, Cork Date: Thursday 30 January Kick-off: 19:45 GMTCoverage: Live on BBC Red Button
Lucas Friday and Jack Bracken need only look sideways for inspiration.In July, they lined up to play France in the under-20 World Cup final in Cape Town.Alongside them then, singing the anthem, were England team-mates Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Henry Pollock and Afolabi Fasogbon.A little more than six months on and Opoku-Fordjour has already won his first senior cap, Pollock has been called up for the Six Nations and Fasogbon surely would have been, but for an untimely injury."They have done incredibly really - the way they have adapted to the Premiership and showed themselves on big stages," Friday tells BBC Sport."It is testament to the team and to age-group rugby in England right now," adds Bracken.As they pursue the same pathway, Friday and Bracken can also look back for guidance.Elite rugby is in their family trees, just a generation behind.Friday's father Mike played for Wasps and Harlequins and captained England's Sevens team.Bracken's father Kyran was a scrum-half who won the last of his 51 caps for England in the 2003 World Cup semi-final win over France.
Lucas and Jack are far from the only sons getting into a family business either.Ollie Sleightholme (son of former England wing Jon) Greg Fisilau (son of Tonga international Kenni), Josh Beaumont (son for former England captain Bill), Reuben Logan (son of Scotland wing Kenny), Sonny Tonga'uiha (son of Tonga prop Soane) and Tyler Offiah (son of league legend Martin) are all playing for Premiership clubs.In the Bath backline alone, Cameron Redpath (son of former Scotland scrum-half Bryan), Max Ojomoh (son for former England flanker Steve) and Tom de Glanville (son of former England captain Phil) are competing for spots.Overseas, Damian Penaud (the son of the former France fly-half Alain) and Max Jorgensen (the son of ex-Wallaby Peter) have followed their fathers into Test rugby."It is definitely a massive advantage," says 19-year-old Bracken.For him though, neither genetics or tactics are the most valuable inheritance from his father.Instead it is the closeness to someone who has also experienced the emotional bumps and knocks that come with being a promising sporting prospect and can offer support."More than anything it has been the off-pitch stuff that has been really beneficial, just developing as a person, as well as a rugby player, and dealing with setbacks," he adds."Having a parent who knows the ins and outs of all those processes makes the transition from amateur rugby to professional a lot easier. "It is really reassuring to have my dad in that picture to guide me through."
There are challenges that come with a famous family name though. These are young men carrying the preconceptions and expectations of others."I always get called Mike Friday's son, every time," says 18-year-old Friday with a smile."I want to make a name for myself as well. My dad has done everything â he was really good â but obviously I want to try and push on for myself."It is not about escaping his shadow. I just want to be seen as my own person as well, not just a son."For Bracken it is about being more than a brother as well. Charlie, two years older, is also on Saracens' books and has represented England under-20s in the past.Bracken says that being a wing rather than a scrum-half like Charlie and Kyran limits comparisons, though even if they do come he has the belief that he could hold his own against his father's heyday."I have been shown a few highlight reels and been told my dad used to be quicker than me â I'm not sure that works anymore!" he says."I have also watched a few England games from the 2003 World Cup run. It is funny seeing how the game has changed so much in a short space of time, with the speed and the structure there is now."I wonder how good he would be today. I'm sure he would do alright."The more pressing question for many England fans is how good this generation of youngsters can become after winning the junior version of both the Six Nations and World Cup in 2024.Bracken, who is studying at Loughborough University, made his Saracens debut earlier this season in the Premiership Cup, while Friday appeared in the Premiership for the first time in December, coming off the bench in a victory over Newcastle.Among the under 20s preparing for their Six Nations opener against Ireland on Thursday, they are now the wise, old heads."There are different faces from last time, but I am really enjoying the vibe and brotherhood we have got going," says Bracken."It has almost continued from last season and built again this season."From babes-in-arms to brothers-in-arms, they won't be the last to follow their parents' stud marks towards the top.