Chandler Cunningham-South’s rapid rise to international rugby has caught even the 20-year-old by surprise but, for all the high-profile coaches he has crossed paths with in a short space of time, the England flanker’s toughest critic is on the other side of the world in New Zealand: his father.
Cunningham-South earned rave reviews after his England debut against Italy, with Sam Warburton saying the Harlequins blindside is “the real deal”. He looks destined for a lengthy career at the top but he remains grounded, thanks in no small part to regular progress reports from back home telling him exactly where he needs to improve. “That’s still the case,” he says with a smile when asked if his father continues to critique him.
