Familiar names light up under-20 World Cup in South Africa

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The under-20 World Cup in South Africa is shining a spotlight on the best young talent on the planet, including the sons of former Rugby World Cup winners and several others hoping to follow ‘the old man’ into test rugby.

England scrumhalf Charlie Bracken’s dad Kyran won the 2003 World Cup and also wore the number nine jersey.

“My dad was my main rugby hero growing up,” Charlie told reporters previously. “I think I’m over critical of myself and he was (too) when he was playing as well. He was a bit of a perfectionist so he kind of brings me back to reality.”

Australia’s squad was to contain the sons of two World Cup winners  flyhalf Tom Lynagh wears the number 10 like his father Michael, who was a world champion in 1991 and spent 11 years in the team, but was a late withdrawal through injury.

Junior Wallabies captain Teddy Wilson was not born when his dad David won the World Cup in 1999 playing as a flank, the pinnacle of a career in which he won 79 caps and skippered the team for a couple of years.

“He (David) had a great reaction, he was really happy for me and proud,” scrumhalf Teddy said after being named captain. “He was giving me a few pointers on what I should do and shouldn’t do.

“It’s great to have someone like him who’s experienced all this stuff so I can lean on him when I need to.”

Other players at the tournament have famous fathers. South Africa flyhalf Jean Smith is following in the footsteps of former Springbok number 10 Franco, while France back row Posolo Tuilagi is the son of ex-Samoa international Henry.

He is part of a famous rugby family with three uncles who also played for Samoa, and a fourth, Manu, who is an England international and a tourist with the 2013 British & Irish Lions.

Another player with a famous dad who missed out on the under-20 tournament through injury is highly rated Payton Spencer, son of former New Zealand international Carlos.