Sons of guns making big mark in rugby, Toby Brial, Finn Baxter, Nick Conway, James Martens, Charlie O’Kane

You might not recognise their faces yet but their surnames are well known. The future Wallaby hopefuls following in the big footsteps of their football playing fathers - and smashing it.

You might not recognise their faces yet but their surnames are well known.

Family ties are strong in most sports but in rugby an inordinate amount of rising stars are following their fathers into football - and smashing it.

A new generation of rugby fans are now regularly seeing some famous names on the start sheets of games for both state and country.

And pretty soon they will be on the players lists at two international tournaments being contested by the best young talent in the game.

The family connections are particularly strong in the new Australian U20 squad named for a camp at Coffs Harbour next month and looking ahead to the U20 rugby championships in South Africa against hosts, New Zealand and South Africa and then the Word Cup in Italy later this year.

Toby Brial, son of Wallaby backrower Michael, is a young talent the Waratahs have been bringing through from a young age and who is now regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the game.

His teammate at the Waratahs, hooker Charlie O’Kane, is the son of former Super Rugby player Kevin O’Kane.

Toby Brial has progressed through the Waratahs pathway at pace. Pics: Julian Andrews

And Hadley Tonga, unavailable for this squad due to his Sevens commitments, is the son of a Sione, who played rugby for Tonga and at overseas clubs.

Finn Baxter is the son of decorated Wallaby prop Al who came through the Waratahs system but is now aligned with the ACT Brumbies.

Nick Conway playing for Australia and celebrating the Australia U18s win over New Zealand Schools

Queensland winger Nick Conway is another player on the rise and named in the Australian U20s squad.

He is the son of footballer Bob Conway, who played school rugby at Nudgee before going on to play for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL

Reds halfback James Martens also has some impressive pedigree as the son of former Springbok Hente Martens.

“It remarkable how many of them are connected,’’ said coach Whitaker.

James Martens scores in Super Rugby Under 19s action. Picture: Supplied/@jayziephotography

NSW Waratahs

Nathaniel Tiitii - Eastern Suburbs

Nick Hill - Warringah

Kaleb Ah-Colt - Randwick

Edwin Langi - Eastern Suburbs

Charlie O’Kane - Eastern Suburbs

Eamon Doyle - Sydney University

Joe Mangelsdorf - Sydney University

Jacob Veiru - Eastern Suburbs

Toby Brial - Eastern Suburbs

Hwi Sharples - Sydney University

Joey Fowler - Sydney University

Liam Grover - Sydney University

Cooper Watters - Eastern Suburbs

Queensland Reds

Trevor King - Souths

John Grenfell - University of Queensland

Charlie Brosnan - Brothers

Tom Robinson - University of Queensland

James Martens - GPS Rugby Club

Dre Pakeho - Brothers

Xavier Rubens - Souths

Nick Conway - Wests Bulldogs

ACT Brumbies

Finn Baxter - Gungahlin Eagles

Ollie Aylmer - TBC

Eli Langi - Tuggeranong Vikings

Beau Morrison - Sydney University

Lachlan Smith- Gungahlin Eagles

Joe Dillon - Canberra Royals

Malakye Enasio - Gungahlin Eagles

Shane Wilcox - Tuggeranong Vikings

Western Force

Boston Fakafanua - Wests Scarborough

Ollie Barrett - Associates RUFC

Finn Prass - Wests Scarborough

Unavailable for selection

Billy Hanson (Brumbies, injury)

Sam McLachlan (Brumbies, injury)

Finlay King (Reds, injury)

Frankie Goldsbrough (Reds, injury)

Luca Cleverley (Waratahs, injury)

Leo Jacques (Waratahs, injury)

Will Goddard (Waratahs, injury)

Austin Durbidge (Waratahs, injury)

Aden Ekanayake (AU Sevens)

Hadley Tonga (AU Sevens)

Sid Harvey (AU Sevens)

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Originally published as Sons of guns making big mark in rugby, Toby Brial, Finn Baxter, Nick Conway, James Martens, Charlie O’Kane