Brothers in Arms: Possibles vs Probables

This year’s Six Nations has witnessed two new pairings of brothers playing in the same Test team: Delon & Stefon Armitage (England), and Max & Thom Evans (Scotland).

This got me thinking about how many other brothers have donned the shirt and represented their country at international level. After a bit of research (and a morning well spent at work), it became clear that there was enough familial excellence to fill not one, but two complete teams. I have therefore selected the ‘Possibles’ vs the ‘Probables’.

Separated at birth

I have added one ‘uncapped’ player to each squad in true Barbarians style, and although I admit that Duncan and Adam Jones claim not to be related, there is no feasible way that they cannot be twins separated at birth! Mauro Bergamasco gets a contentious nod at 9 in the ‘Possibles’ team due to a distinct lack of competition!

It should be noted that there seem to be far more brothers that have played in the backs than the forwards, with a distinct scarcity in the front row especially. I put this down to sensible parenthood, where it is decided ‘enough is enough’ once one ugly prop is produced from the womb.

Are there any notable brothers I have left off my list? What are your thoughts on selection?

Probables
1 Dan Pletch (Canada, 21)
2 Mike Pletch (Canada, 11)
3 Paul Wallace (Ireland, 45 + Lions, 5)
4 Carlo Ignacio Fernández Lobbe (Argentina, 60)
5 Juan Martin Fernández Lobbe (Argentina, 15)
6 Scott Quinnell (Wales, 52 + Lions, 3)
7 Stefon Armitage (England, 1)
8 Derek Quinnell (Wales, 23 + Lions, 5)
9 Guy Easterby (Ireland, 28)
10 Mark Ella (Australia, 25)
11 Rory Underwood (England, 85 + Lions, 6)
12 Scott Hastings (Scotland, 65)
13 Delon Armitage (England, 7)
14 Tony Underwood (England, 27)
15 Gavin Hastings (Scotland, 61 + Lions, 6)

16 David Wallace (Ireland, 46 + Lions, 6)
17 Richard Wallace (Ireland, 29)
18 Simon Easterby (Ireland, 65)
19 Gary Ella (Australia, 6)
20 Glen Ella (Australia, 4)
21 Craig Quinnell (Wales, 32)
22 Gavin Quinnell (Uncapped)

Possibles
1 Duncan Jones (Wales, 50)
2 Frank Stout (England, 17)
3 Adam Jones (Wales, 54)
4 Martin Johnson (England, 84 + Lions, 8 )
5 Gary Whetton (New Zealand, 58)
6 Alan Whetton (New Zealand, 65)
7 Mirco Bergamasco (Italy, 54)
8 Henry Tuilagi (Samoa, 4)
9 Mauro Bergamasco (Italy, 58)
10 Felipe Contepomi (Argentina, 62)
11 Alesana “Alex” Tuilagi (Samoa, 10)
12 Fereti “Freddie” Tuilagi (Samoa, 16)
13 Max Evans (Scotland, 4)
14 Thom Evans (Scotland, 5)
15 Rory Lamont (Scotland, 14)

16 Anitelia “Andy” Tuilagi (Samoa, 7)
17 Bruce Deans (New Zealand, 10)
18 Robbie Deans (New Zealand, 5)
19 Manual Contepomi (Argentina, 32)
20 Percy Stout (England, 3)
21 Sean Lamont (Scotland, 48)
22 Will Johnson (Uncapped)

By Justin Aylward

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