Rugby has produced countless legendary families, but only a select few have seen both father and son reach the very highest level of the sport.
From World Cup winners and British & Irish Lions to All Blacks, Springbok and England captains, these families have left an incredible legacy across generations.
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Here are our picks for the 10 greatest father-and-son duos in rugby history.
15. David Sio & Scott Sio (Samoa/Australia)
Scott became a Wallabies centurion after following his father David, who represented Samoa.
14. George & Mike Ford (England)
Mike won an England cap before becoming one of rugby's most respected coaches, while George established himself as one of England's greatest fly-halves and highest points scorers.
13. Gysie Pienaar & Ruan Pienaar (South Africa)
Both Springboks, with Ruan winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup and becoming one of South Africa's finest utility backs.
12. Kuli Faletau & Taulupe Faletau (Tonga/Wales)
Kuli represented Tonga, while Taulupe became a Welsh legend and a three-time British & Irish Lion.
11. Don Clarke & Bevan Clarke (New Zealand)
"The Boot" is one of the greatest All Blacks ever, while son Bevan also represented New Zealand.
10. Frank Oliver & Anton Oliver (New Zealand)
Few families can match the Olivers' place in All Blacks history. Frank captained New Zealand during the 1970s before his son Anton followed in his footsteps as an international hooker, also leading the All Blacks. To this day, they remain the only father-and-son duo to captain New Zealand.
9. Nick Youngs, Tom Youngs & Ben Youngs (England)
Nick Youngs represented England as a scrum-half in the amateur era, but his sons took the family legacy to another level. Ben became England's most-capped men's player, winning four Six Nations titles, reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup final and touring twice with the British & Irish Lions. Older brother Tom also enjoyed an outstanding international career, earning 28 England caps, captaining Leicester Tigers and helping England win the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam.
8. Todd Blackadder & Ethan Blackadder (New Zealand)
Todd Blackadder captained the All Blacks and enjoyed huge success with the Crusaders before moving into coaching. His son Ethan has become one of New Zealand's standout back-row forwards, earning a reputation for his relentless work rate and physicality on the international stage.
7. Michael Lynagh, Tom Lynagh & Louis Lynagh (Australia/Itay)
Michael Lynagh is one of Australia's greatest-ever fly-halves, famously helping the Wallabies lift the Rugby World Cup in 1991.
More than three decades later, son Tom has emerged as Australia's first-choice No.10 and looks set to build a stellar international career of his own. Younger brother Louis has also followed in the family footsteps, representing Italy after previously starring for Harlequins in the Gallagher PREM, making the Lynaghs one of rugby's most talented modern families.
6. Gavin Hastings & Adam Hastings (Scotland)
Gavin Hastings is widely regarded as one of Scotland's greatest players, captaining his country and the British & Irish Lions during an outstanding career. Son Adam has become Scotland's first-choice fly-half in recent years, ensuring the Hastings name remains one of the most respected in world rugby.
5. Schalk Burger Sr & Schalk Burger (South Africa)
The Burger name is synonymous with Springbok rugby. Schalk Burger Sr represented South Africa before his son became one of the greatest flankers of the professional era. A Rugby World Cup winner in 2007 and World Rugby Player of the Year in 2004, Burger Jr cemented himself as a Springbok legend.
4. Émile Ntamack & Romain Ntamack (France)
Émile Ntamack thrilled French supporters throughout the 1990s with his pace and flair. His son Romain has become one of the world's premier fly-halves, helping France win multiple Six Nations titles while establishing himself as one of the game's biggest stars.
3. Feʻao Vunipola & Billy and Mako Vunipola (Tonga/England)
Strictly speaking, this entry features one father and two sons—but leaving either Billy or Mako out simply wouldn't feel right. Former Tonga international Feʻao Vunipola helped inspire two of England's modern greats, with both brothers becoming British & Irish Lions and playing key roles in England's successes over the past decade.
2. Felix du Plessis & Morné du Plessis (South Africa)
Few rugby families have had a greater influence on the Springboks. Felix captained South Africa during the famous 1949 series victory over the All Blacks, while son Morné became one of the country's greatest No.8s and captains. Remarkably, they remain the only father-and-son duo to captain the Springboks.
1. Andy Farrell & Owen Farrell (England)
No father-and-son pairing has shaped the modern game quite like Andy and Owen Farrell. Andy enjoyed legendary status in rugby league before becoming an England international in union and later one of the world's most respected coaches. Owen followed by becoming England's all-time leading men's points scorer, captaining his country, starring on three British & Irish Lions tours and establishing himself as one of the finest fly-halves of his generation.
Together, they are rugby's ultimate father-and-son success story.
NAME EVERY ENGLAND MEN'S CAPTAIN OF THE PROFESSIONAL ERA:
Since rugby turned professional in 1995, England have had a host of captains lead the team through World Cups, Grand Slams, Lions tours and some of the biggest moments in the sport's history.
From World Cup-winning legends to short-term stand-ins, how many England captains of the professional era can you name?
You have five minutes to name them all. Good luck!?
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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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