Son of England legend ditches dad's nation to play for Six Nations rivals
04/13/2025 02:37 AM
Lewis Noon, son of former England and Newcastle Falcons legend Jamie Noon, is making a name for himself in French rugby.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
The 19-year-old fullback, currently part of Brive CA's academy, has his sights set on a future in international rugby—but he's aiming to wear a different jersey than his father did. Instead of representing England, Lewis is determined to don the blue of France.
Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
An English Legacy with a French Twist
While Jamie Noon earned 38 caps for England and built a formidable reputation as a hard-hitting centre, Lewis's ambitions lie across the Channel. He could one day share the field with Posolo Tuilagi, nephew of England's own Manu Tuilagi, adding another chapter to rugby's unique cross-national storylines.
A Falcon Soars in Brive
Jamie Noon retired from professional rugby in 2013 after a successful 13-year run with Newcastle Falcons and a final stint at Brive. Reflecting on his career, Jamie tweeted: “After 15 years of top flight rugby I’m retiring at the end of the season. So if anyone wants to give me a job please get in touch.” It was a fitting sign-off from a player known for his humour and humility on and off the field.
Starting Young in Malemort
Lewis's rugby journey began in the French town of Malemort, where the local rugby field was conveniently close to home. He later joined Brive at the U14 level, steadily developing his own style of play. Unlike his father's physical approach, Lewis's game has a lighter touch.
"Lewis has a game based on avoidance. He reads spaces on the field really well and uses that to his advantage," Jamie explained. “He still has some physical progress to make, but we're working on it," he added with a laugh, joking that a classic French diet of foie gras and duck legs might be the solution.
A Passion for Defence
While their styles may differ, father and son share a passion for defense. Lewis prides himself on his tackling and ability to track opponents. "I like tackling hard and marking my opponents. I don't mind defending at all," he said, reflecting his father's commitment to the defensive side of the game.
English Blood, French Heart
Although he was born in England, Lewis's heart belongs to the country he now calls home. “When I was younger, I wanted to play for England because of my father. Now, I want to play for France. I have English blood but a French heart,” he said. His dream to represent France is about more than just a jersey; it's a connection to where he's grown up and the culture he's embraced.
Stuart Hogg among five players ruled out of 2025 Lions tour
The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour kicks off in Australia on July 19, with a three-Test series against the Wallabies. Andy Farrell's squad will be without several big names due to injury, retirement, or club commitments.
1. Ollie Lawrence – Achilles injury ends Lions dream
England centre Ollie Lawrence was widely tipped to make Farrell's Lions squad before suffering a devastating injury. The Bath star ruptured his left Achilles tendon just nine minutes into England's 47-24 Six Nations win over Italy, ruling him out for up to a year.
A Premiership Player of the Season in 2023, Lawrence had become a key figure for Steve Borthwick's England. His explosive running, defensive solidity, and hard-carrying ability made him a strong candidate for the tour. However, with the Lions series beginning in just over three months, his injury has ended any chance of selection.
Lawrence expressed his disappointment on social media: “Lost for words… That's not how I imagined my season to end! The comeback is always greater than the setback.”
Surprise Fact: Lawrence was once in Aston Villa's football academy before choosing rugby.
2. Stuart Hogg – Won’t be considered for selection
Despite making an impressive comeback with Montpellier in the Top 14 after reversing his retirement, off-field issues will rule him out of contention for selection by Lions head coach Andy Farrell, according to RUCK sources.
Surprise Fact: In a tweet, J. K. Rowling insinuated that Hogg was, in fact, a full-fledged Wizard
Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
The post Son of England legend ditches dad's nation to play for Six Nations rivals appeared first on Ruck.
