Clare Balding’s 6ft 9in nephew set for England call-up, he could also play for Wales

Tuesday, 07 October 2025 at 20:10

byRugby Rucker

Gloucester snapped up one of the most talked‑about teenagers in English rugby during the summer, handing towering lock Jonno Balding his first professional contract after a breakout season with the U18s.

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The inside line

Pathway to Kingsholm: Joined the Cherry & Whites’ academy in December 2023 and became a mainstay of the U18 side.


Age	18
Height	6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Position	Lock
School	Radley College, Oxon
England honours	U18 caps
Family ties	Nephew of award‑winning broadcaster Clare Balding; son of leading race‑horse trainer Andrew Balding; grandson of Bath great Ian Balding

International pedigree: Starred for England U18s last term, drawing early whispers of “future Test captain” from age‑grade coaches. He now set for an England U20 call-up in the coming months. He is also eligible to play for Wales.

Rugby genes: Grandad Ian turned out 92 times for Bath before training racehorses for the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother.

Gloucester Rugby 🍒

@gloucesterrugby

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📢 Gloucester Rugby is pleased to announce the signing of ten players from last season’s U18s squad to the Academy and Sub-Academy ahead of the 2025/26 season. Freddie Ogden Metherell (Second row) Jonno Balding (Second row) Kealan Freeman-Price (Hooker) Dan O'Reilly (Second row

11:17 AM · Jun 18, 2025

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What they said

George Skivington (Director of Rugby)
“I’ve watched Jonno closely and he’s a massive talent—literally and figuratively. At 6 ft 9 in he’s an athletic line‑out option, but the best bit is how coachable he is. Developing home‑grown players is vital for us; Jonno can go right to the top.”

Jonno Balding
“Signing at Kingsholm is a dream. I know this environment will push me to become the best player I can be. I can’t wait to get started.”

Gloucester Rugby 🍒

@gloucesterrugby

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𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Gloucester Rugby Academy's Jonno Balding has been called up to the @EnglandRugby U18s squad for their trip to South Africa next month. Good luck, Jonno! 🍒

11:53 AM · Jul 25, 2024

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RUCK verdict

Gloucester love a monstrous lock and Balding ticks every box: size, set‑piece nous, and a ridiculous ceiling for growth. Add in that winning Balding DNA—plus an influential aunt in sports‑broadcast royalty—and Kingsholm may have just secured England’s next big thing.