Ben Youngs ended his England career the way he lived it — quietly getting the job done. A short, instinctive pass to Marcus Smith in England’s 22, nothing spectacular, just another in a lifetime of scrum-half duties. That unassuming moment at the Rugby World Cup 2023 bronze medal match encapsulated everything about the man. England beat Argentina 26-23 at the Stade de France to finish third, and Ben Youngs signed off his 127th and final cap as a winner.
Ben Youngs’ Rugby World Cup Bronze: 127 Caps and Out
The stadium announcer famously jumped the gun, declaring Danny Care had replaced Youngs before the board even went up in the 51st minute. Typical. When the moment did arrive, Youngs was on the far side of the pitch — and his family were waiting. Tom Youngs, Ben’s older brother, sat in the section behind the replacement bench alongside other family members, including two youngsters wearing Youngs 9 shirts from different eras of his 13-year international career. As Ben walked off for the last time, every single one of them rose to their feet.
“Watching him in a white shirt over all the years, I tip my hat to him,” Tom Youngs said. “To always be part of an England squad for 13 or so years is unbelievable. I’m immensely proud.” Ben served under four England head coaches — Martin Johnson, Stuart Lancaster, Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick. In fact, when Ben made his Test debut in 2010 as a replacement on the wing for Ugo Monye, Borthwick was his captain. “I have had four coaches with England and I have been picked by all of them,” Ben Youngs said. “I guess I am proud of that because it shows I clearly bring something to the party.”
Meanwhile, Ben’s retirement announcement on Wednesday sparked an outpouring of affection from across the rugby world — a measure of a man as respected off the field as on it. He also took it upon himself to announce that Joe Marler was retiring from international rugby too, given Marler had previously retired a couple of times and feared no one would believe him if he said it himself. Others may be following them out the door: Dan Cole, at 36, almost certainly won’t be at another World Cup.
Sam Underhill Stars as England Hold Off Argentina in Gruelling Finale
Beyond the sentiment, this was a proper Test match. Blood was shed on both sides. Sam Underhill, a late injury call-up, was absolutely outstanding. England had made eight changes from the side that narrowly lost to South Africa, while Argentina made three. Nevertheless, neither team gave an inch.
England led for all but two minutes of the contest. Ben Earl crossed after a sharp team move cut through Argentina’s defence, and Theo Dan scored after pouncing on his own chargedown. Owen Farrell converted both and landed four penalties. Tomas Cubelli replied for the Pumas in the 36th minute off a sweeping team move, before Santiago Carreras produced a sublime solo effort just after the break, dancing through half the England team to score. With the match poised at 26-23, Nicolas Sanchez had the chance to force extra time from a straightforward penalty in the 76th minute — but he missed. England held firm, drew a penalty at the death, and that was that.
Consequently, England’s World Cup ended in victory — a remarkable achievement given where Steve Borthwick’s squad stood at the start of 2023. Once the bronze medals were draped around their necks, Youngs made his way to the crowd. Six young members of the Youngs family joined him on the pitch, two of them immediately sprinting to the 22 to perform cartwheels. He walked a full lap of the Stade de France as an England player for the last time. “I have a bucket load of memories and I am very grateful,” he said. “I will have a beer and enjoy myself with the boys tonight.” Fitting words from one of English rugby’s most selfless servants. Read our full match report on England’s bronze medal win here.
