Lauren & Reece James make history as England's first sister/brother internationals

Lauren and Reece James have made history by becoming the first sister and brother to play for England at senior international level following Lauren’s Lionesses debut on Saturday evening.

Lauren, previously capped up to Under-19 level, has been one of the leading talents in English women’s football for the last few years. Fitness troubles have affected her since 2020 and she played only sparingly for Chelsea in 2021/22 following last summer’s switch from Manchester United.

But Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is clearly suitably impressed by the 20-year-old’s potential, having included her in the first squad since Euro 2022 this month – former Manchester United manager Casey Stoney said in 2019 that Lauren was a talent like she had never seen before.

“We have been following her since I came in and my former colleagues [were following her],” Wiegman said of Lauren’s call-up to the squad. “She didn’t play that much [last season], but she did play some games. We know she’s a very talented player.”

Lauren came on for the final 11 minutes as England beat Austria to secure their place at the 2023 Women’s World Cup next summer and in doing so wrote her family name into the record books.

• Austria 0-2 England: Player ratings - 2023 World Cup qualifier

Older brother Reece has been a senior men’s international for England since 2020, having established himself as one of Chelsea’s most important players in recent seasons.

“Making history, so proud,” he posted on Twitter alongside a mocked up image of the pair of them holding an England cap together. Lauren responded with a heart emoji.

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