Ben Youngs, at 34 years old, will earn his 127th cap for England in their match against Argentina at the World Cup. Although he is currently behind Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet in the scrum-half pecking order, Youngs has a long-standing history in rugby. His brother, Tom, also played for Leicester and England, and their father, Nick, was an England scrum-half as well.
Youngs began his rugby journey locally, playing for Holt and North Walsham before attending Gresham’s School. He earned his first cap against Scotland in March 2010, when Steve Borthwick, the current coach, was captain. Since then, Youngs has represented England in four World Cups and toured Australia with the British and Irish Lions in 2013. He is one of only five Englishmen to reach 100 caps and has won four Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2016. In the 2019 World Cup, England reached the final but were ultimately defeated.
In February 2022, Youngs surpassed Jason Leonard to become England’s most capped men’s player on his 115th appearance during the Six Nations win over Wales. While he falls 10 caps short of Rocky Clark’s record of 137 caps for the England women’s team, Youngs’ achievements are still remarkable. Coach Steve Borthwick praises Youngs as a tremendous player for English rugby, highlighting his role in helping the team progress and supporting the development of Alex Mitchell in particular.
In conclusion, Ben Youngs is a highly accomplished and respected rugby player who has made significant contributions to England’s national team. His long-standing family history in the sport, his impressive number of caps, and his involvement in major tournaments such as the World Cup and the Six Nations showcase his talent and dedication to the game. Youngs’ achievements and the esteem in which he is held by his coach and teammates make him a valuable asset to the England squad.
