Gabby Logan's giant son made difficult Scotland decision his dad had to 'pretend' to be happy about
Reuben Logan has caused a stir in the rugby world after swapping allegiances to play for Scotland, and his famous parents have had their say on his choice
Reuben Logan has gone from being a minor internet celebrity to turning heads in rugby circles.
Initially making headlines last year when he was likened to Gary Barlow's gigantic son Daniel, Logan stands at an even more impressive 6ft 5in tall and weighs 18st 1lb. While his stature sparked online buzz, his prowess on the field is now drawing acclaim.
Son of the newly appointed Match of the Day host Gabby Logan and Scottish rugby icon Kenny Logan, Reuben stirred the pot when he chose to play for Scotland in the U20s Six Nations, having previously represented England.. The Northampton Saints star recently talked about his decision and its impact on his father.
"Yeah, he's pretty happy, I think," the 19-year-old said. "I think he pretended when I was with England that he was happy with it, but he really wasn't, and he's made that very clear now. He struggled with it, and I think he's [now] very, very happy. He's excited."
Regarding his mother's reaction, he added: "I think she was just as emotional as my dad, because, obviously, she's seen my dad wear that shirt. I sent her the media photos and she got quite emotional seeing them, because my dad used to wear the same thistle."
Reuben's mother, Gabby, is the daughter of Welsh football legend Terry Yorath. She was born in Yorkshire while her dad was playing for Leeds United. Gabby chose to compete for Wales in rhythmic gymnastics.
Reuben's father, Kenny, brings Scottish heritage into the mix and inspired the teenager to train with Scotland at U17s level before his son switched to play for England's U18s at a Six Nations Festival. Reuben later joined the England U20 side, only to return to Scotland's fold.
Kenny had to be stoic during his son's stint with England but expressed his support when Reuben went pro, telling Planet Rugby: "I just want Reuben to enjoy his journey. He's got a great opportunity at a fantastic club, and rugby is a wonderful sport to be part of."
Hints of Reuben's potential switch emerged during the Euros last year when TV cameras caught him and Kenny donning Scotland football shirts at a game against Hungary in Stuttgart.
"We'd got the top, and I was like, 'Wouldn't it be fun if I was on the telly? I wonder if I'd get any flak for that,'" Reuben said. "And then at half-time, I looked at my phone, and it was going 'ping, ping, ping, ping, ping', and that was just quite funny."
Unfortunately, Reuben's journey in the U20 tournament hasn't been smooth sailing. The Scots are still chasing their first victory after a heavy defeat by England, where Reuben's former team-mates handed them a 57-13 loss last week. Looking ahead, Reuben faces another personal challenge as he prepares to face Wales on Friday, March 7.