Twenty years separate Lucas Friday and Danny Care.
Former Harlequins scrum-half Care, 39, played 101 times for England and trotted out against Exeter Chiefs to mark his 395th and final club appearance last May.
Instead of signing an experienced scrum-half, Quins opted to bring through teenager Friday – who at that stage had only three minutes of top-flight rugby under his belt.
But it was a fitting passing of the guard as Mike Friday – Lucas’ father and former England sevens coach – played a key role in Care’s early career development.
“It feels like a full circle moment as Lucas’ father Mike was my mentor from 16-20 in the junior national academy pathway and he picked me to play for England sevens,” Care told BBC Sport.
“Mike used to come and do a load of passing and kicking drills with me. He passed on his knowledge to me, fast forward 20 years later and I was doing the same for his son.
“It was a bit weird but in a nice way, a passing of the torch. It was nice that I could help as this guy’s father had given me so much.
“In a cathartic way it did play a little bit of a factor in my retirement as I knew you’ve got to let this kid fly now.”
Diminutive in stature but lightning quick with a bullet pass, the 19-year-old reminds Care of himself as a promising teenager.
The talent was undeniable but Friday’s willingness to learn shone through as he would wait for senior training to finishing before racing onto the pitch to do extra kicking practice.
“Post sessions they may not have wanted to do, or maybe had other things to do, but they [Harlequins senior scrum-halves Care and Will Porter] took the time to help develop me,” Friday told BBC Sport.
“I always wanted to ask questions and once they engaged back with me, it gave me more confidence. They might not have been so happy with the amount I asked.
“It would be technical questions on passing and what went well for him [Care] and what didn’t go well.
“Kicking technique is another thing and finding that consistency.
“I want to be the best I can in every single skill as I want to master and perfect it.”
