Rugby Career

England men’s most‑capped player. A concise record of the numbers, milestones and moments that defined an 18‑year one‑club career.

Career stats

127 caps. Four World Cups. One club.

England caps
127
England points
100
Leicester appearances
338
Major titles
5× Premiership
4× Six Nations
3× Anglo‑Welsh Cup

Career highlights

Record‑breaking moments in motion

Watch a rapid-fire recap of Test caps, trophy lifts, and the milestones that defined Ben’s journey.

  1. Retires from professional rugby

    Brings a one‑club journey to a close at the end of the 2024–25 season, finishing with 338 senior appearances for Leicester and a legacy of standards set.

  2. Health scare — and comeback

    Undergoes successful heart surgery for SVT and returns to play, underlining trademark resilience late in his career.

  3. International farewell — bronze in France

    Wins his 127th cap in the Rugby World Cup bronze final, then steps away from Tests as England men’s record appearance holder.

  4. England men’s most‑capped player

    Surpasses Jason Leonard to top the all‑time list; adds another Premiership title with Leicester later that season.

  5. 100th cap — title‑clinching brace

    Marks his century with two tries v Italy as England seal the Six Nations; adds the Autumn Nations Cup weeks later.

  6. Starts Rugby World Cup Final

    Runs out at scrum‑half in Yokohama as England finish World Cup runners‑up to South Africa.

  7. British & Irish Lions selection

    Selected for the 2017 Lions tour, then withdraws before departure for family reasons.

  8. Grand Slam and 3–0 in Australia

    Integral to a clean‑sweep in the Six Nations and a historic series whitewash away to the Wallabies later that summer.

  9. Rugby World Cup — home tournament

    Represents England at the Rugby World Cup hosted in England and Wales.

  10. Premiership champion — Lions (2 Test caps)

    Starts as Leicester beat Northampton in the Premiership final; features in two British & Irish Lions Tests in Australia, starting alongside brother Tom in Melbourne.

  11. Rugby World Cup debut

    Makes his World Cup debut in New Zealand, beginning a run of four tournaments.

  12. England debut — try in Sydney

    First international start comes with a solo try v Australia; man‑of‑the‑match v Wallabies that autumn; scores in Leicester’s Premiership final win.

  13. Leicester debut — youngest Premiership Tiger

    Debuts at 17, becoming the club’s youngest league player; features in a title‑winning season to begin a decorated Tigers career.

*Stats sources: Leicester Tigers / Wikipedia for club totals; RFU / Wikipedia for international totals.