Wilsons at the double

Jack and Emily Wilson

There is just something special about a sibling double act in sport, whether that be the Murray brothers bringing home the Davis Cup for Great Britain or the Klitschko brothers conquering all in the boxing ring for the past decade and who can forget the magic of watching Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee battle one another for Triathlon Gold at the London 2012 Olympics.

Rugby has its own fair share of sporting siblings just in this country alone, take the Vunipola brothers or the Youngs brothers. To witness the ability of a family to come together over the love of a sport and see two individuals push each other right to the very top is remarkable.

Now Lancashire has its own up-and-coming sibling twosome, Emily and Jack Wilson.

Both have at the same time progressed from Littleborough Rugby Union Club junior teams to play for the county and even more fascinating is they both play loosehead prop. 

Father Richard Wilson has been playing senior rugby for decades and his offspring, as many young children do, followed their dad home and away intrigued at the game they now love.

Jack (16) started his rugby career at Littleborough RUFC in 2005 at the tender age of five. He worked his way through tag rugby into full contact and is now showing promise for the future at a very good standard. Over the years Jack has won various trophies’ including Most Improved, Coaches' Player and Junior Clubman with Littleborough and this summer he will be off to play rugby in Australia with his school team, Crossley Heath.

His father Richard said about Jack: “Me and Jill were looking for an outlet for a boisterous young lad and rugby seemed the place to go and I am so glad we did.”

Emily, a year younger at 15, wasn't far behind, she watched her brother with enthusiasm and it was only a matter of time until she was on the pitch showing a little girl power amongst the lads. Having to put up with an “annoying big brother” gave Emily an edge that some of the opposition were not ready for. Taking on and beating boys with strength and power came naturally.

Emily played from the age of six until 12 years old in mixed teams at Littleborough, winning accolades similar to her brother.

At one time it was looking like she may have to travel away from her beloved club to find girls only rugby from under 15 onwards. However, Emily and her playing partner, Georgia Turner, along with Clair Carson (manager), started a girl's under 15 team with massive success and Littleborough now has three girls teams 13s, 15s and 18s giving the club a new lease of life.

Jack and Emily have made 13 appearances for the county and become the first brother/sister to play in the same position for Lancashire.

After standing out amongst her peers at Lancashire, Emily was touted for the North of England junior women’s team but missed the cut.

Jack continues to produce for Lancashire with a strong possibility that he will also be involved with the North of England junior side come the time he moves to the next age grade.