Two rugby playing brothers will debut for club and country tomorrow posing a dilemma for their family over which son to watch.
Former Barnard Castle School boys Guy and Max Pepper will take to the field - each suggesting to their parents that they should watch the other play.
Guy, 22, starts for England against Wales at Twickenham sporting the number six shirt, his first Six Nations match for his country.
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Max, 24, starts in his favoured position of scrum half for his club Bristol Bears against Exeter at home.
They both continue an enviable reputation for Barnard Castle School, which has produced more than 40 internationals and countless more premiership club players over the years.
Their father Martin, who is Second Master at Barnard Castle School, said his sons only wanted the best for each other.
“We couldn’t be in two places at once, so we asked them which match we should watch and Guy said to watch Max and Max said we should go to Twickenham – which we are doing,” he said.
“They are great mates and push each other on. They are critics of each other’s game, in a healthy way, and enjoy each other’s company.
"They were both at school together and at Durham University, securing good degrees, recognising the importance of education beyond their careers by pursuing their academic ambition. As a family we could not be prouder.”
For Guy the Six Nations debut is another opportunity to tick off one of a list of goals he set when on holiday with the family when he was just 14.
Martin, who still has the list of aspirations on his phone, said: “We were sitting on a plane and he wrote down what he wanted to achieve by when and so far he is pretty much bob-on, securing professional contracts, regular places in the England squad, having played on an American and Argentinian tour, in the Autumn Internationals and now the Six Nations.
“He hopes to follow this up by taking part in the World Cup in 2027 and a Lions Tour to New Zealand in 2029.”
Avid sports fans, Guy and Max began playing rugby at Barnard Castle Preparatory School and Barnard Castle Rugby Club and their talents soon began to shine out.
Barnard Castle School’s master in charge of rugby Lee Dickson, himself an Old Barnardian, a multi-capped England scrumhalf, former Northampton Saints No9 and now a coach at Newcastle Red Bulls, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for both brothers and the whole school community is so proud of them.
"The England team is strong and Guy is there on merit. We know how hard he has worked to get there.
“He overcame a serious injury at 15 and what he has gone through has been phenomenal.
"The first time I ever watched Guy, I was taken aback by how he prepared for a game and his ability to beat a defender.
"He wasn’t just happy being a normal school boy rugby player, he went the extra mile and he became a role model for the rest of the school.”
The Peppers are the latest in a long line of alumni who became successful rugby stars including the Underwood brothers, England wingers Rory and Tony, England and Wasps fly-half Rob Andrew, the Tait brothers, England and Leicester Tiger’s Mathew and Falcon’s Alex, Saints and Saracens’ Calum Clark, Falcons and Harlequins’ Rory Clegg, Bath’s Ross Batty, and forward Alex Gray, who was a star on the England 7s circuit with Michael Ellery, before switching to NFL in America and is now the TV Gladiator, Apollo.
Their legacy continues with four former pupils currently playing in the Premiership and Jamie Adamson playing in Australia for NSW Waratahs.
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Lee’s brother Karl Dickson, a current International referee, took charge of the first match in this seasons’ Six Nations, France vs Ireland.
For current First XV hooker, Yorkshireman Noah Glossop, the school’s rugby heritage is an inspiration.
The 17-year-old, who is studying A levels in psychology, English literature and history and hopes to attend either Bath or Exeter university, said: “It is really inspiring to see the Peppers play at such a high level as it shows if you work hard enough you can make it to the top.”
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