When England played Ireland in Dublin on 1st February 2025, Ben and Tom Curry became the first twins to play together on the England Men's team. They have kindly loaned us their jerseys from that match which will form part of the rotating displays in our Six Nations gallery.
From The Vaults
06 August 2025
New Acquisition – Ben and Tom Curry jerseys
England Under 20s, 2017
Identical twins Ben and Tom Curry broke into the Sale team in the 2016-17 season, won the Under 20s Six Nations Grand Slam in 2017, and were then selected for England's tour of Argentina that summer at the age of 18 - but it would be eight years before they made history as the first twin brothers to start a match together for England. Ben had been named in an England team to face the Barbarians in an uncapped game in May 2017, but when a back injury forced him to withdraw, Tom replaced him in the line-up and earned a man-of-the-match award for his performance. The brothers were both selected for England's tour to Argentina the following month, where Tom made his senior debut days before their 19th birthday.
Ben captained the England Under 20s to the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2018 and Tom became a mainstay of the senior England team, leading to a nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019. In June 2021, Ben was called up to the England squad again and made his debut against the USA at Twickenham while Tom was preparing to tour South Africa with the British & Irish Lions. In November 2024, both brothers were named in an England team to face New Zealand - a long-awaited chance to play together for their country - only for Ben to replace Tom in the closing stages of the game.
Ireland v England, 2025
However, another opportunity soon followed. Steve Borthwick named the brothers as his starting flankers in the opening match of the 2025 Six Nations, against Ireland in Dublin. England started the Test quickly with a try from Cadan Murley putting pressure on the hosts. A strong England defence forced turnovers at the breakdown and England had a 5-10 lead at half time, but Ireland made a comeback, scoring 22 points in the second half. Tom Curry's 75th minute try appeared to be a consolation until Tommy Freeman crossed in the final play of the game and the conversion gave England a losing bonus-point, the match ending 27-22.
Despite the result not going their way, it was a memorable day for the Curry twins and their family. Reflecting on the day, Ben says: 'It was a big milestone and, growing up, something we dreamed of - but I honestly never thought it would really happen… it was an unbelievably special moment for not just ourselves, but our family. It's something I will treasure for the rest of my life.'
There is a long tradition of siblings playing for England, stretching back into the nineteenth century. Reginald and Louis Birkett played together in the 1870s; Fred and Leonard Stokes, and Charles and Temple Gurdon followed in the 1880s. Despite this, there are only a few sets of twins who have played for England over the years. In 1994, Emma and Jane Mitchell became the first twins to play for the England women's team, since followed by Poppy and Bryony Cleall who played together in the 2021 Women's Six Nations.
Displayed together, the Curry jerseys will be emblematic of a long tradition of family members playing rugby together.
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