Eight of his squad for the tournament come from a lineage of international rugby players and here they are:
1. Tom de Glanville - son of Phil de Glanville
Tom has a famous father in Phil, the former Bath centre, who won 38 England caps from 1992-1999 and led his country eight times. He made his England U20 debut against France in the 2019 Six Nations, scoring his first try against Scotland.
2. Cameron Redpath - so of Bryan Redpath
The son of 60-times capped former Sale Sharks and Scotland scrum-half Bryan Redpath, who captained his country 26 times, Cameron was born in Narbonne, France.
3. Manu Vunipola - son of Elisi Vunipola
Vunipola comes from vintage rugby stock and is already well on his way to following in the footsteps of cousins Billy and Mako as part of the England U20s set-up. His dad, Elisi Vunipola, played in Super Rugby for the Brumbies, as well as appearing 41 times for Tonga – including at the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups – and was his country’s most-capped player upon retirement in 2005.
4. Samson Ma'asi - son of Viliami Ma'asi
Samson’s father, Viliami, played professional rugby for Cornish Pirates, Yorkshire Carnegie, London Welsh and Ampthill, as well as for the Tongan national side. Three of Samson’s brothers have followed in their father’s footsteps, with one playing for Wasps U16s, one at Northumbria University, and the eldest, Suya, in New Zealand.
5. Sam Maunder - son of Andrew Maunder
His father, Andrew, won 149 league caps for Exeter and his brother, Jack, made it into the Chiefs senior side at just 19 years of age and played a part in the Premiership-winning side of 2016/17.
6. Tom Hardwick - son of Rob Hardwick
His dad Rob was a combative prop with Coventry, who won an England cap against Italy at Twickenham in 1996 and went on to figure in 120 Premiership matches for London Irish.
7. James Dun - son of Andy Dun
Like father like son. James Dun has captaincy credentials just as his father Andy, a flanker, did. He led Wasps in 1984/85 and Bristol from 1988/90 as well as playing for England U19 and U23 before winning a full cap against Wales in 1984.
8. Oliver Sleightholme
His dad Jon played 12 Tests for England at senior level, scoring four tries, and also had a spell with Northampton Saints, where Ollie is a member of the academy set-up.
