Clare Balding’s powerhouse 6ft 9in nephew signs pro contract with Prem club
Rugby NewsThursday, 28 August 2025 at 19:51
Gloucester have snapped up one of the most talked‑about teenagers in English rugby, handing towering lock Jonno Balding his first professional contract after a breakout season with the U18s.
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Who is Jonno Balding?
| Age | 18 |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) |
| Position | Lock |
| School | Radley College, Oxon |
| England honours | U18 caps |
| Family ties | Nephew of award‑winning broadcaster Clare Balding; son of leading race‑horse trainer Andrew Balding; grandson of Bath great Ian Balding |
The inside line
Pathway to Kingsholm: Joined the Cherry & Whites’ academy in December 2023 and became a mainstay of the U18 side.
International pedigree: Starred for England U18s last term, drawing early whispers of “future Test captain” from age‑grade coaches.
Rugby genes: Grandad Ian turned out 92 times for Bath before training racehorses for the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother.
What they said
George Skivington (Director of Rugby)
“I’ve watched Jonno closely and he’s a massive talent—literally and figuratively. At 6 ft 9 in he’s an athletic line‑out option, but the best bit is how coachable he is. Developing home‑grown players is vital for us; Jonno can go right to the top.”
Jonno Balding
“Signing at Kingsholm is a dream. I know this environment will push me to become the best player I can be. I can’t wait to get started.”
RUCK verdict
Gloucester love a monstrous lock and Balding ticks every box: size, set‑piece nous, and a ridiculous ceiling for growth. Add in that winning Balding DNA—plus an influential aunt in sports‑broadcast royalty—and Kingsholm may have just secured England’s next big thing.
The 5 Greatest Fly-Halves in World Rugby Right Now – Ranked!
Here’s our ranking of the five best fly-halves in the game right now.
5. Tomás Albornoz (Argentina)
Albornoz has emerged as one of the most exciting new playmakers in world rugby. His ability to play flat on the gain line and stretch defences makes him a constant threat, while his balance of running, passing, and tactical kicking sets him apart as Argentina’s future in the No.10 jersey.
He proved his class in the Rugby Championship with a stunning all-round performance against South Africa, showcasing both his vision in attack and his work rate in defence. With his rapid rise in form, he’s already being tipped as one of Europe’s most dangerous playmakers at Benetton.
Quirky Fact: Albornoz originally came through the ranks as a scrum-half before converting to fly-half — which explains his sharp distribution and lightning-quick support play.
4. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
Barrett may not be the force of nature he once was during his back-to-back World Rugby Player of the Year campaigns, but he remains one of the most versatile and dangerous backs in the game.
Capable of playing at both fly-half and full-back, his pace and spatial awareness still give the All Blacks an attacking edge. Even as younger playmakers push through, Barrett’s experience, adaptability, and knack for delivering in big moments keep him firmly in the global conversation of elite No.10s.
Quirky Fact: Barrett grew up playing barefoot on his family’s farm in Taranaki, often racing his brothers across fields. He swears the habit helped develop the speed that would later terrorise defences worldwide.
3. George Ford (England)
England’s tactical commander is enjoying one of the finest stretches of his career. In 2025, Ford co-captained his country on their summer tour of Argentina and the USA, steering them to a perfect three-Test clean sweep.
Long regarded as a master of game management, Ford combines intelligent kicking, calm distribution, and sharp decision-making under pressure. Recently, former England fly-half Toby Flood hailed him as the “best in the world,” pointing out his consistency and leadership in a role that often goes underappreciated. At 32, Ford is proving that experience and composure can be just as valuable as raw flair.
Quirky Fact: Ford made his professional debut at just 16 years old — becoming the youngest player ever in English rugby’s top division at the time.
2. Handré Pollard (South Africa)
Pollard’s reputation as one of rugby’s most reliable pressure performers is well earned. The Springbok No.10 is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, known for his tactical discipline, accurate goal-kicking, and unflappable presence in clutch moments.
Time and again, Pollard has stepped up in decisive Tests, guiding South Africa with cool-headed precision. While he may not grab headlines for flashy breaks or outrageous passes, his ability to control territory and keep opposition sides pinned back makes him invaluable to the Boks’ winning formula.
Quirky Fact: In 2014, Pollard was nominated for World Rugby Junior Player of the Year — and in the very same year, he started a senior Test for the Springboks. Few players have bridged the junior-to-senior gap so quickly.
1. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Russell has gone from mercurial maverick to world-class leader. In 2025, he guided Bath to the Premiership title and played a starring role in the British & Irish Lions’ series win in Australia — a triumph widely hailed as the peak of his career so far.
Long regarded as the most creative fly-half of his generation, Russell has blended his trademark flair with a newfound composure and defensive commitment. Praise has come from all quarters — even Johnny Sexton, once his great rival, called him one of the most improved and complete players in world rugby. When Russell is on song, he doesn’t just influence games; he completely transforms them.
Quirky Fact: Before his professional career, Russell worked as a stonemason in Stirling. He’s joked that the patience required for cutting stone helped him learn how to handle the pressures of elite rugby.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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