"Brotherly Love" - The Best of Rugby's Brothers

Here are the top six sets of rugby brothers

Where else to start but with the birthday boys. Tom and Ben Curry have been playing together at Sale Sharks since breaking into the academy set up in 2016, prior to that the twin brothers represented Crew & Nantwich RUFC on opposite flanks. The two back-rowers occupy the six and seven shirts at the AJ Bell Stadium, and are well matched in their ruthlessness in the tackle and breakdown prowess.

Both Curry brothers have gone on to star for England, with Tom making his international debut before his twin. Tom Curry was called up into the England squad during the Eddie Jones era, making his full test debut against Argentina in 2017. This match saw Tom Curry achieve the accolade of being the youngest player to start at flanker for England, at the age of 21.

Ben Curry was also called up onto the 2017 Summer tour of Argentina, yet he was unable to get onto the pitch. Eddie Jones gave Ben his test match debut in the Summer of 2021, with the back-rower coming off the bench in a friendly against the United States. Tom Curry has gone on to captain England on a handful of occasions, with Jones picking the Sale man to lead in the absence of Courtney Lawes last Autumn.

Tom Curry has also achieved British & Irish Lion status, on the 2021 Tour to South Africa. Tom started all three tests against the Springboks, with South Africa winning the series 2-1 overall. Both Curry brothers were integral parts of the Sale Sharks team who reached the first Premiership final since 2006, however Ben suffered an untimely hamstring injury in the semi-final, which wrote the Sharks captain out of the showpiece match at Twickenham, and will likely side-line him for the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The sons of former Tongan international Fe'ao Vunipola have been engrained in Saracens and the England national team for the last decade. The unmistakable Mako and Billy Vunipola have been apart of all of Saracens' defining successes, winning three Heineken Champions Cups and five Premiership Rugby titles each.

The duo have also each won the Six Nations Championship on three occasions, (2016, 2017 & 2020) and were part of Eddie Jones' England team that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. Older brother Mako is 32-years-old, with Billy recently turning 30. However, both players have been included in Steve Borthwick's winder training squad ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Mako was considered a guarantee to run out at the tournament in France, yet the omission of Billy Vunipola came to surprise rugby pundits and fans alike. The voluntary withdrawal of Sam Simmonds opened up a space in the England back-row, which the 64-capped Billy Vunipola would gladly occupy.

Both Mako and Billy could well retire with Saracens in the coming years, yet the Vunipola name will continue at the North London club. Their cousin Manu Vunipola is taking great strides at the Stone X Stadium, with the 23-year-old expected to lead the line at fly half in the not so distant future.

The flying Watson brothers have been Premiership entertainers throughout their careers. Anthony is currently signed with Leicester Tigers, with his brother Marcus forced to vacate the top flight of English rugby after his former club Wasps financially collapsed last October.

Marcus Watson has since been playing for Benetton in the United Rugby Championship. Marcus has already racked up 12 appearances for the Italian side, and scored six tries whilst doing so. The wingers both find their beginnings at St George's College in Weybridge, Surrey. Eldest brother Marcus rose through rugby's ranks first, with Anthony following suit just three years behind him.

Both brothers worked their way into the London Irish squad after graduating through the Exiles academy. Marcus made his debut in 2009, and Anthony joining him in 2011, however neither brother remained with Irish for two long, and soon went their separate ways. Marcus left London Irish the year that his brother progressed into the Exiles first XV, Marcus joined up with Saracens, and turned his focus to Sarries' Sevens team, winning the Premiership Sevens title.

Anthony agreed a move to Bath in 2013, where he would stay for a staggering nine year stint. Watson was a definitive fan favourite at the Rec, making over 120 appearances and scoring 160 points for the blue, black and whites. Anthony progressed into the England team, and made his debut against the All Blacks in the 2014 Autumn Internationals. He has since recorded over 50 caps for his country, and is a two-time British and Irish Lion, going on tour to New Zealand in 2017 and to South Africa in 2021.

Marcus Watson never broke on to the international stage at 15s level, but he has had a starring role within the sevens game. Marcus has competed in 35 competitions for England Sevens, and progressed onto the Team GB Sevens circuit, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The Barrett's are widely regarded as New Zealand's most famous rugby family. The sporting set of four brothers are all the son of former Taranaki star Kevin Barrett, who tore up the New Zealand provincial circuit during the 1990s. The eldest Barrett son Kane has since retired from professional rugby, after following in his father's footsteps at Taranaki.

Kane Barrett also represented the Auckland Blues until 2014, starring at both lock and flanker for the Super Rugby side. Beauden, Scott and Jordie are all involved within today's All Blacks set-up, with Beauden considered to be the shining talent out of the three. Beauden is a two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Winner, and was the only Barrett brother amongst the squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final triumph.

Beauden scored the match-winning try to put the game beyond all doubt for the Wallabies, and took over the mantle of All Blacks talisman from Dan Carter. Beauden progressed into the starting fly half spot, yet faces tough opposition from Richie Mo'unga to hold on to the number 10 jersey. Beauden starred for the Hurricanes and later the Blues, in between sabaticals in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath. The 32-year-old is set to head back to Japan after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, after agreeing a deal with Toyota Verblitz.

Jordie Barrett is a mainstay with the Hurricanes, and progressed further into the spotlight after his brother Beauden left the Wellington club in 2019. A versatile back who is well equipped for fullback and centre, Jordie Barrett excites the Hurricanes fans with exciting displays of raw pace and technical abilities. The 26-year-old is steadily reaching his prime, and has made 48 All Blacks caps already since his 2017 breakthrough.

Scott is the only active Barrett brother who plays in the forwards, after Kane Barrett's retirement. The 29-year-old has been a pillar of the Crusaders pack since his emergence onto the scene in 2014, making over a century of caps for the Super Rugby franchise - that is no mean feat given the reduced schedule when compared to Northern Hemisphere leagues.

Scott also represented Canterbury at provincial level until 2019, before he made the change to Taranaki, and followed his father and brother in representing the New Plymouth side.

The headliner of the Whitelock family's four brothers is undoubtedly Sam. The most capped All Black of all-time, Sam Whitelock has a staggering 143 caps for his country. The lock is also amongst a select group of just 20 rugby players, to have won the Rugby World Cup twice (2011 and 2015).

The Crusaders captain is set to depart Super Rugby following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he will attempt to get his hands on the Web Ellis trophy for a record third time. French club Pau have secured the services of Whitelock following the 2023 RWC, with the 34-year-old ending his Super Rugby career, which saw him win the league on four occasions.

This will be the second time that Whitelock bid farewell to his beloved Crusaders, as he took a year's sabbatical to Japan in 2020, to join up with the Panasonic Wild Knights. Sam's older brother George Whitelock is a one-time capped All Black, making an appearance in the back-row in 2009. George Whitelock had a decorated career with the Crusaders and Canterbury, representing both sides from 2008 to 2014.

Adam Whitelock has also since retired, and is the only back-line player in the Whitelock brothers. The versatile back was best suited to the wing, but also starred in the number 15 jersey. He too had a long career with the Crusaders in Super Rugby, and provincially at Canterbury.

Adam Whitelock never made a test match appearance for the All Blacks, but he did break onto the international circuit as part of the New Zealand Sevens side. The flying winger enjoyed a globe-trotting career, heading to France with Bayonne, and later to Japan with the Wild Knights.

Youngest brother Luke Whitelock is now 32-years-old, and like his brothers, spent the majority of his career with the Crusaders and Canterbury. The Whitelock name is synonymous with the Christchurch teams, seeing all four different brothers all wear the famous red shirts. Luke later switched Super Rugby allegiances, after moving to the Highlanders in 2016. The back-rower has lately been playing for Pau in the Top 14, and is set for a reunion with his brother Sam after the Rugby World Cup.

The first family to have six brothers play professional rugby, the Tuilagi name is an instantly recognisable dynasty which has been instilling fear into opponents for the best part of the last 20 years. Five of the brothers; Alesana, Anitelea, Freddie, Henry and Sanele Vavae have all represented Samoa at the highest level.

Youngest brother Manu has gone on to be one of England's most formidable players in the centre. Manu Tuilagi has also represented the British & Irish Lions, appearing on the 2013 tour to Australia. The Tuilagi name holds a legacy at Welford Road, as all six brothers have represented Leicester Tigers at some stage in their career.

Manu was the latest to wear the famous green, red and white stripes, as he represented Leicester from 2009 to 2020, before a recent move to Sale Sharks. The brothers are known for their fearsome physicality, embodying the Samoan spirit in every tackle and carry they make. Anitelea Tuilagi became the youngest player to ever represent and score for Samoa, as he ran out a try on his debut against Pacific Island rivals Tonga, aged just 19 years and 27 days.

Alesana Tuilagi was apart of Leicester Tigers most successful era, winning the Premiership three times, and the Anglo-Welsh Cup twice between 2004 and 2012. Alesana was also apart of Samoa's famous 32-23 victory over Australia in 2011, and scored the opening try from the wing.

Henry Tuilagi was known for his enormous strength, and is one of the strongest athletes in sporting history whose career was not dedicated to powerlifting. At his peak, he bench pressed 250 kg (551 lb for several reps. Henry Tuilagi was a cross code player, also making international appearances for Samoa's Rugby League side.

Sanele Vavae represented Leicester Tigers the least amount out of his brothers, making just three appearances between 2007 and 2009. 'Andy' then headed to France for the remainder of his career, playing in the Top 14 and D2 with Narbonne and joining US Carcassonne in 2013.

Freddie Tuilagi completes this eclectic list of rugby's greatest brothers. Freddie began his playing career at Leicester Tigers in the year 2000, and won three consecutive Premiership titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Freddie also achieved two European Champions Cup winners medals, as the Tigers did the double in 2001 and 2002. Freddie left Leicester in 2004, before playing at Cardiff Blues and later with Castres in the Top 14.