It would be fair to say that sporting success runs in the family of Fin Back, Carlisle United's latest signing.

He is, after all, the son of an England World Cup winner - in rugby union.

Fin was just under 14 months old when dad Neil helped Clive Woodward's England side win the World Cup in Australia.

The new Blues player could have followed the rugby route himself, but instead opted for football.

Now, after impressing through the ranks at Nottingham Forest, he has joined Carlisle on a season-long loan.

READ MORE: Carlisle United sign Nottingham Forest defender Fin Back on loan

Back senior has stressed that his son had the potential to succeed in rugby - but was pleased he went for the round ball game instead.

“He did have the ability to be a very good rugby player, without question," said Neil Back, speaking to The Athletic last year.

"He has the mentality, he has the skills, he has controlled aggression. He could have made it. He was scouted by [Leicester] Tigers. But he was already in the Forest academy and loving it. He joined at the age of seven and is just Forest through and through.”

Back snr, a 66-cap open-side flanker for England, also said: "I am very pleased that he [Fin] has gone into the sport because it means he will never be compared to his old man. 

“I also love it because I used to be a good-looking young man. But in rugby, when you put your head in where it hurts, you find that you get kicked a lot and you end up looking like I do now…

"I am pleased that he has chosen a different sport, not least because he loves it but also because of that."

Back junior joined Forest's academy aged eight and came through the ranks to captain their under-23s.

The 19-year-old was handed his first five senior outings by boss Steve Cooper last season.

His debut came in the Carabao Cup against Bradford City before Back made his league debut in the Championship as a first-half sub against Blackburn Rovers last August.

His full debut followed in an away game against Stoke City.