At 22 years old – he will be 23 at the end of the Autumn Nations Series – Brennan is well on his way to earning his first cap this November, and why not against Japan on Saturday? Like 19 others, the 6'6" second row should be fresh from starting for Toulouse against Bayonne in the Top 14 before rejoining Les Bleus in Marcoussis for the build-up to the match with Eddie Jones's Japan.
Pedigree can naturally play a role in a young player's trajectory, but nothing replaces the value he brings to the pitch. So while Joshua is often described as 'the son of' and 'brother of', he's on his way to becoming a singular entity. But for now, and for the uninitiated: yes, he is the son of Trevor Brennan first, former Ireland and Toulouse hardman who won 13 caps between 1998 and 2001. He didn't get the chance to see his father represent Leinster, a club he left when Joshua was barely six months old to join Stade Toulousain.
Toulouse is the youngest Brennan got a taste for rugby, supporting his father from the stands up until his retirement in 2007. He joined the club himself when he was 12, in the city where the family settled and where Trevor opened several Irish pubs under the name Brennan's Bar. It is also there that Daniel, three years older than Josh, started playing rugby and began his career. But quickly, the elder brother upped sticks and went to Montpellier, Brive and then to Toulon, where he plays in the second row. Daniel played with the Bleuets – the U20 2018 world champions – but hasn't received a call-up to the senior squad. That left just the other sibling: Joshua.
An obvious choice to play for France
“I was asked that question when I was young,” admits the Dublin-born forward. “I’ve lived in France my whole life, I came here very young. I played all the youth teams, I didn’t see myself wearing the Ireland jersey. I was always a France fan when I was little.”
Joshua Brennan is a man of few words, but plentiful action on the pitch. He speaks admiringly of his club captain, Antoine Dupont: "He understands the game very well. His point of view on rugby - when he speaks, it isn't to say nothing. He knows what he wants. He is a great club captain." The important sentence is: "When he speaks, it isn't to say nothing. He knows what he wants."
This is precisely what could define Joshua Brennan himself.
The temptation of versatility
During his first season in the Top 14, Toulouse coach Ugo Mola made no mistake in putting Brennan on his teamsheet seven times in the first eight matches, including three as a starter. He finished this first match by scoring a try, his first in a victory against Toulon, before joining up with the senior national squad. "He had some very good matches last year, but now he has taken on another dimension. He gains ground in contact [...] he tackles hard. He is very complete, and plays very well. I am happy for him," said forward 26-times capped France forward Thibaud Flament of his clubmate.
So complete that he can also play second row and back row, just like his father did?
"When we moved Josh to seven, in the middle of last season, it was also a little nod to his father who started as a back row before finishing as a lock," recalled Jean Bouilhou, Toulouse's forwards coach. "We knew that Josh was a powerful player capable of running a lot despite his size. So why not try him in the back row? Moving from number four to number seven is also easier than the other way around, because you don't have to take on the scrum when you play as a flanker. So we tried him in this position in La Rochelle and he did very well. That match was a turning point."
In Marcoussis, the question has not yet been asked. "I haven't really had a discussion," Brennan replied when asked the question. "For now, I'm more focused on the second row. I've only trained in the second row for the moment."
Nevertheless, eager to learn and progress, he will take all the experience that he can. "My goals? It's to progress every day, as much as possible, to bring the most to this team. To show the best of myself," he answered quietly.
France v Japan, Saturday 9 November, 20:10 GMT. Live on TNT Sports.
