Gloucester have snapped up one of the most talked\u2011about teenagers in English rugby, handing towering lock\u00a0Jonno Balding\u00a0his first professional contract after a breakout season with the U18s.<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n Who is Jonno Balding?<\/p>\n Age18Height6\u202fft\u202f9\u202fin (206\u202fcm)PositionLockSchoolRadley College, OxonEngland honoursU18 capsFamily tiesNephew of award\u2011winning broadcaster\u00a0Clare Balding; son of leading race\u2011horse trainer\u00a0Andrew Balding; grandson of Bath great\u00a0Ian Balding<\/p>\n The inside line<\/p>\n Pathway to Kingsholm:\u00a0Joined the Cherry & Whites\u2019 academy in December\u202f2023 and became a mainstay of the U18 side.<\/p>\n International pedigree:\u00a0Starred for England U18s last term, drawing early whispers of \u201cfuture Test captain\u201d from age\u2011grade coaches.<\/p>\n Rugby genes:\u00a0Grandad Ian turned out 92 times for Bath before training racehorses for the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udce2 Gloucester Rugby is pleased to announce the signing of ten players from last season\u2019s U18s squad to the Academy and Sub-Academy ahead of the 2025\/26 season.<\/p>\n Freddie Ogden Metherell (Second row) \u2014 Gloucester Rugby \ud83c\udf52 (@gloucesterrugby) June 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n What they said<\/p>\n George Skivington\u00a0(Director of Rugby) Jonno Balding \ud835\uddd6\ud835\uddd4\ud835\udddf\ud835\udddf\ud835\uddd8\ud835\uddd7 \ud835\udde8\ud835\udde3 \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f<\/p>\n Gloucester Rugby Academy’s Jonno Balding has been called up to the @EnglandRugby<\/a> U18s squad for their trip to South Africa next month.<\/p>\n Good luck, Jonno! \ud83c\udf52 pic.twitter.com\/5zjwQTvEjD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gloucester Rugby \ud83c\udf52 (@gloucesterrugby) July 25, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n RUCK verdict<\/p>\n Gloucester love a monstrous lock and Balding ticks every box: size, set\u2011piece nous, and a ridiculous ceiling for growth. Add in that winning Balding DNA\u2014plus an influential aunt in sports\u2011broadcast royalty\u2014and Kingsholm may have just secured England\u2019s next big thing.<\/p>\n The 5 Greatest Fly-Halves in World Rugby Right Now \u2013 Ranked!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s our ranking of the five best fly-halves in the game right now.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0Tom\u00e1s Albornoz (Argentina)<\/p>\n Albornoz has emerged as one of the most exciting new playmakers in world rugby. His ability to play flat on the gain line and stretch defences makes him a constant threat, while his balance of running, passing, and tactical kicking sets him apart as Argentina\u2019s future in the No.10 jersey.<\/p>\n He proved his class in the Rugby Championship with a stunning all-round performance against South Africa, showcasing both his vision in attack and his work rate in defence. With his rapid rise in form, he\u2019s already being tipped as one of Europe\u2019s most dangerous playmakers at Benetton.<\/p>\n Quirky Fact:\u00a0Albornoz originally came through the ranks as a scrum-half before converting to fly-half \u2014 which explains his sharp distribution and lightning-quick support play.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
Jonno Balding (Second row)
Kealan Freeman-Price (Hooker)
Dan O’Reilly (Second row\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/hQiMolhhw2<\/a><\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve watched Jonno closely and he\u2019s a massive talent\u2014literally and figuratively. At 6\u202fft\u202f9\u202fin he\u2019s an athletic line\u2011out option, but the best bit is how coachable he is. Developing home\u2011grown players is vital for us; Jonno can go right to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSigning at Kingsholm is a dream. I know this environment will push me to become the best player I can be. I can\u2019t wait to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n