There are a number of players within the age grade system who are related to former Wales internationals
Will Moore races clear to score for Swansea Schools in their Dewar Shield final win over Pontypridd Schools (Image: Huw Evans Agency)
Some people are of the opinion that success on a rugby field is helped by having good genes.
The Quinnells and Moriartys are a prime examples of that but whatever the truth of it there are a number of players rising through Welsh rugby’s ranks who are a close relation to former Wales internationals.
Over the next few years there is a decent chance these players will follow in their fathers’ footsteps and wear the red of Wales.
Here are eight players who come from good stock already making a name for themselves in the age-grade programme.
Will Moore
The outside centre is the son of former Wales second-row Andy Moore.
Moore Jr represented Swansea Schools in the Dewar Shield final back in 2023 where they beat Pontypridd Schools and is a product of South Gower RFC. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
He is considered a fine prospect and has previously been part of the Wales U18s squad.
Dylan James
The young Ospreys prop is the son of former Wales loosehead Paul James.
The younger James is part of the senior Ospreys academy and will be playing most of his rugby this season for Aberavon in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Like his old man, James is a loosehead prop who prides himself on his scrummaging and is highly regarded within the Ospreys set-up.
James has already represented Wales U18s and is targeting the U20s squad this season.
Paul James (left), with his son Dylan (right)Jac Jones
He is the son of former Scarlets and Wales backrower Dafydd Jones who won 42 caps for his country.
His son, Jac, is a centre who played for Scarlets U18s last season and has been training with Carmarthen Quins ahead of the upcoming SRC season.
The younger Jones is an explosive centre with an eye for a gap and good offloading skills.
His father runs the Butchers Arms in Llanddarog.
Former Wales player Dafydd Jones(Image: 2004 Getty Images)Harvey Bryant
The 17-year-old is the son of former Pontypridd centre Jon Bryant who won one cap for Wales against Romania in Wrexham back in 2003. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
His son, Harvey, plays for Cardiff U18s and scored a remarkable try from his own 22 against RGC U18s last Sunday. You can watch that here.
Bryant was a student at St Richard Gwyn RC High School in Barry and also plays for Old Penarthians RFC alongside Cardiff U18s.
Nicholas Fisk-Jones
Nicholas Fisk-Jones is the son of legendary Swansea, Wales and Lions scrum-half, Robert.
It will come as no surprise to hear he has followed in his father’s footsteps by wearing number nine on the back of his shirt.
The Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera pupil has played for Ospreys U18s.
Nicholas Fisk-Jones in action(Image: Al Macklen)Gabe Williams
The athletic second-row is the son of former Wales backrower Owain Williams, who sadly passed away four years ago, and the brother of Cardiff and Wales lock Teddy.
Williams looks destined to follow in his father and brother’s footsteps, having been awarded an educational scholarship with Cardiff Rugby while also studying at Cardiff Met.
The former CRICC, Ysgol Plasmawr and Ysgol Glantaf pathway player has represented Cardiff at Under-16 and 18 level and recently represented Wales Under-18s in the Six Nations festival.
Rhys Wyatt
Rhys Wyatt is part of the Cardiff Rugby academy and is a lightning-fast wing or full-back just like his father, Gareth, who won two caps for Wales.
Wyatt has also represented Pontypridd Schools and currently plays for Cardiff U18s.
He will be a contender to play for Wales U18s this season.
Ffredi Easterby
OK, he isn’t the son of a former Wales international but his father, Simon, is a Scarlets legend and won 65 caps for Ireland while also touring New Zealand with the Lions in 2005.
The former backrower is now part of Andy Farrell’s coaching team with Ireland and was his defence coach on the recent Lions tour of Australia. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Bro Morgannwg captain Ffredi Easterby lifts a trophy last year(Image: WRU)
Easterby junior, who is a backrower like his father, has come up through the ranks at Cowbridge RFC and is a member of the Cardiff U18s squad while attending Ysgol Bro Morgannwg.
Ffredi’s grandfather, Elgan Rees, played for Neath, Wales and the Lions.