3. Ben Youngs – England
England’s all-time appearance holder is set to call time on his international career following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. A leading man in Steve Borthwick’s new England squad, Youngs has been mainstay at scrum half for his country, despite making his England debut on the wing, replacing Ugo Monye in 2010. Youngs outlasted the likes of Danny Care, Willi Heinz and Ben Spencer in solidifying his spot as England’s ‘number nine’, and expectations are that he will step away following one last crack at the Rugby World Cup.
Racking up 117 caps, Youngs now feels older than his namesake, and is looking to the future of England’s scrum half jersey alongside Head Coach Steve Borthwick. Leicester Tigers teammate Jack van Poortvliet is prospering under the guidance of Ben Youngs, and has begun to thrive on the international stage.
Borthwick and Youngs also mentored van Poortvliet at Tigers, in what presents the natural successor to the XX-year-old. Youngs has had a successful career for England, the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup and X Six Nations titles, X of which were Grand Slams. Reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final, the William Web Ellis trophy is the single piece of silverware that Youngs is yet to obtain.