Total Number of Twin Pairs who have Played Together for England Rugby
It is quite unusual for TWINS to compete together on the England rugby team, although it’s not out of the question.
In this article, we explore the extraordinary siblings who have achieved this remarkable goal, alongside those who are ready to follow in their footsteps at the 2025 Six Nations.
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Have twins ever played for the England men’s rugby team?
As of January 31, 2025, there has yet to be a case of twins competing together for the senior England men’s rugby team in a single match.
Brothers Ben and Tom Curry were both named to England’s 2017 tour of Argentina by Eddie Jones at just 18 years old, immediately after finishing their inaugural professional season with Sale.
Regrettably, an injury prevented Ben from making his debut, even though he had previously captained Tom in the U20s national team that same year.
However, this situation is set to change, bringing a groundbreaking moment for English rugby.
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The Historic Curry Twins
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Identical twins Tom and Ben Curry were born on June 15, 1998.
Now at the age of 26, they are on the brink of becoming the first twins to represent the England men’s rugby team during the upcoming Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin on February 1, 2025.
This significant moment comes after years of perseverance for the Curry brothers, who have been playing rugby together since the age of four.
While their journeys have paralleled, they have each taken slightly different paths toward this historic achievement.
Tom made his England debut at 19, making him the youngest forward to play for the team in over 90 years, meanwhile, Ben’s debut was delayed due to an injury.
Since that time, Tom has become a regular fixture in the England lineup, appearing in the 2019 World Cup final, where England faced South Africa and lost 32-12.
Eddie Jones and Tom Curry respond to England’s 20-17 defeat to Scotland in the Six Nations
During a Six Nations match against France in 2019, Tom played with blood streaming down his face after sustaining a forehead injury.
Ben finally made his England debut in June 2021, coming off the bench against the United States.
The brothers have come excruciatingly close to playing together for England previously, such as in November 2023 when they were both part of the squad facing New Zealand.
Sadly, Ben replaced Tom in the 59th minute, preventing them from sharing the field.
Our varied skill sets complement one another perfectly
Tom Curry
In a statement to the BBC, Ben shared: “Steve [Borthwick] spoke to us before the match, expressing his wish for us to play together. I thought that was awesome.”
“I looked over at Tom about 15 minutes in, and he seemed really tired. I was concerned that he might not be performing at his best.”
When discussing the possibility of playing alongside his sibling, Tom noted: “We have diverse skill sets that blend perfectly.
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“We’re not just identical players; we each comprehend one another’s styles and strengths.
“This understanding enhances our ability to collaborate effectively, performing different roles like playing at six and seven, which technically entails distinct responsibilities.”
Red Roses — The Cleall Twins
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In women’s rugby, there’s a notable set of twins who have represented England together.
Poppy and Bryony Cleall, born on June 12, 1992, have both played for the England women’s rugby team.
They achieved the remarkable feat of playing together on March 27, 2021, during the opening match of the 2021 Women’s Six Nations.
In England’s 52-10 win over Scotland, both twins played, with Bryony earning her first start while Poppy was already a key player in the lineup.
During the match, the Cleall twins even collaborated on a try, with Poppy assisting Bryony.
After the game, Poppy shared, “I am extremely proud of her [Bryony], that’s two caps and two tries!
“I aimed to provide the perfect setup for her, and she executed it splendidly.
“We’re both incredibly proud of her and delighted to see her back in a white jersey. She has put in so much effort.”
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