Imagine the pressure: following in the footsteps of not one, but multiple sporting legends. That's the reality for Jonno, the towering 6ft 9in Gloucester lock who's just been called up to England's U20 Six Nations squad. But the burning question everyone's asking is: can you guess who his incredibly famous TV star aunt is?
Nineteen-year-old Jonno is making waves in the world of rugby, showcasing his talent within Gloucester's academy and quickly becoming recognized as one of England's most promising young forwards. This call-up to the U20 Six Nations is a significant milestone, but it's also just the latest chapter in a remarkable family legacy deeply rooted in sports.
Of course, he's the nephew of Clare Balding, a broadcasting icon instantly recognizable from her coverage of major sporting events like the Olympics and Wimbledon for the BBC. But here's where it gets even more fascinating: Jonno's sporting pedigree stretches back generations. He's also the grandson of the late Ian Balding, a former rugby star who played 92 times for Bath Rugby before transitioning to a successful career as a racehorse trainer – even training horses for Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother! Ian passed away on January 2nd at the age of 87.
The Balding family's connection to horses goes even deeper. Ian's grandfather, Aubrey Hastings, trained four Grand National winners – a truly remarkable achievement. And his father, Gerald Balding, was a British champion polo player. It's safe to say that competitive spirit runs in their blood! This strong connection to equestrian sports continues today, as Jonno's father, Andrew Balding, followed in his father's footsteps and established a successful career as a horse trainer, securing significant victories in prestigious races across the globe, from Great Britain and Australia to Canada, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates. It's a truly global reach.
In an interview with Gloucester two years ago, Jonno, who celebrated his 19th birthday on December 29th, shared that it was his grandfather who first ignited his passion for rugby. "I started when I was four or five at Overton Rugby Club which is near to where I live," he explained. "On a Sunday morning with dad, we'd go and play touch rugby. That's where it started for me. It was great fun and it's part of what got me into the sport."
He continued, "My grandfather was quite a good player, he played for Bath, and it was him that got me interested in the sport. It was his footsteps I wanted to follow in."
Jonno also highlighted the intensely competitive nature of his family: "We come from a very competitive family, whatever sport it is, even board games get competitive. So, it is exactly where I got it from and what encouraged me to take up competitive sport." It seems that winning isn't just a goal; it's a family tradition!
Jonno is joined by four other Gloucester players in the England U20 Six Nations squad: Olly Allport, Freddie Ogden-Metherell, Will Knight, and Harry Wright. Their campaign begins on Friday, February 6th, against Wales U20s, followed by matches against Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and France's youth teams.
England U20s head coach Andy Titterrell emphasized the team's focus on growth and connection as they prepare for the tournament. "As a squad, we're looking forward to setting the tone for the campaign and starting our journey together in Portugal this week," he said before their training camp. "Our objectives this season are to embrace the mindset of getting better, supporting each other in a high-performance environment and earning the right to achieve top honours. Most importantly, we want to build connections on and off the field, between coaches and players, in an open and honest environment."
Titterrell added, "Building towards the Six Nations campaign is an exciting prospect for all involved. Recent years have seen some of the best attended England U20 fixtures in over a decade and we aim to grow the rose with strong performances and player development." But this is the part most people miss....Can this young team live up to the hype and the pressure of following in such esteemed footsteps? Some might argue that the weight of legacy could be a burden, while others believe it will serve as motivation. What do you think? Will Jonno and his teammates thrive under the spotlight, or will the family's sporting history prove too much to handle? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
