RUGBY UNION: Where there's a Will. . .

THE lot of a famous sporting offspring can be difficult.

To be a lad who had a dad who reached the very heights of his game and then to try to follow suit - come on.

Would you fancy following in the football footsteps as Alan Shearer, the golf swing of Nick Faldo or the cueing action of Stephen Hendry?

Well, where there's a Will - there's clearly a way!

Will Greenwood was today enjoying the "incredible experience" of winning his first cap for England against Australia in his chosen rugby code in front of a full house at Twickenham.

Thirty years ago his father, Richard, did much the same - and went on to touch the very pinnacle of skippering the national side.

It is the eleventh time such a father-and-son combination has occurred in English Rugby Union. Reginald Birkett set the ball bobbling way back in 1871 and there's even been a dad, followed by a lad, followed by a grandson!

The last time it happened came through Peter Preece's inclusion in 1972.

Little wonder then that Will and Richard have been a touch excited by this week's developments. Indeed, it's impossible to ascertain who has derived most pleasure from Clive Woodward's first squad announcement since he assumed control of such matters.

"Thrilled, absolutely thrilled," enthused Richard. "Delighted, can't tell you how much" echoed Will.

Happy days for the Greenwood clan who have a strong East Lancashire connection.

Both played for Preston Grasshoppers and Will was actually born in Blackburn. "That's a fact I can't argue. I know it was definitely an event that took place 25 years ago, but I couldn't actually give you an address," said Will with an element of tongue pushed firmly in cheek (or was it that he was tiring amid frantic media attention)?

"We moved away when I was a nipper and spent six years living in Italy before we returned to this country to set up home in Hurst Green."

For those with limited rugby knowledge, Will is a centre with Leicester - and obviously a top notcher to boot. After Hoppers he skipped to first Waterloo and then Harlequins and is one of a very rare rugby breed - an uncapped player to be called up by the British Lions.

Earlier this year he made a big impression as part of the Lions' tour to South Africa although he didn't manage to force a place in the Test teams.

The breakthrough though has finally arrived.

"It's hard to put into words just how you feel when you're told of your first cap, but it is something of which I feel very proud."

Will scoffs at suggestions that being who he is has proved any sort of obstacle.

"Can't have that, dad has been a cornerstone for me - had it not been for him I would probably never have caught hold of a rugby ball.

"He has followed my career from day one and remains as supportive as ever. Quick to criticise, yes he does criticise - but he's equally quick to congratulate.

"He achieved a great deal in his own playing days and, if anything, that has probably spurred me on. Certainly no handicap, that's for sure.

"I think it's wrong to draw comparisons - different players, different positions, different eras." Richard, who still resides in the parish, made his England debut back in the year more associated with the success of the round ball game - 1966.

He was a Hopper, a top player and no slouch as a coach either, spending many years with the up-and-coming rugby starlets of Stonyhurst College.

The back garden was where it all started for young Will: "Dad was keen for me to join in and while it is difficult to put a year on these things I could only have been six or seven."

He joined Hoppers as a 15-year-old and within a season and a half had convinced the selectors this name should be on the first team sheet.

It's been glory, glory all the way, Will event managing to combine his rugby development with three years at Durham University.

Now, after the careful guidance and tuition from his father, Will has graduated to the top of the class - with more honours to come! For those with an incurable anoraknaphobia for sporting statistics, here's the full list of fathers who have preceded sons in the England rugby team:

Reginald Birkett (1871) and John Birkett (1906).

Sir William Milton (1874), James Milton (1904) and Cecil Milton (1906).

Harry Wilkinson (1889) and Harry Wilkinson (1929).

George Hubbard (1892) and John Hubbard (1930).

William Tucker (1894) and William Tucker (1933).

Reginald Hobbs (1899) and Reginald Hobbs (1932).

Thomas Weston (1901) and William Weston (1933).

Frank Scott (1907) and Edward Scott (1947).

Ivor Preece (1948) and Peter Preece (1972).

Richard Greenwood (1966) and Will Greenwood (1997).

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