Ben Youngs, England’s most-capped men’s rugby player with 127 appearances, has opened up about the personal battles that shaped his career and his views on the coaches who influenced him. The former Leicester scrum-half, who retired from international rugby in 2023, admits that his achievements were often overshadowed by guilt as he dealt with family trauma away from the pitch.
While Youngs was breaking records and featuring in four World Cups, his sister-in-law was battling blood cancer and his brother-in-law suffered from motor neurone disease. He often felt torn between his professional responsibilities and the grief his family endured. Despite being celebrated, Youngs recalls feeling ashamed, carrying the weight of guilt while trying to bring joy to others through his performances.
His breaking point came when he was left out of England’s opening matchday squad at the 2023 World Cup. Overcome with emotion, he found solace in conversations with the team psychologist, which helped him reconcile his inner turmoil. He now acknowledges that he should not feel guilty, recognising that his career brought moments of light to his loved ones during dark times.
Youngs also reflected on the contrasting styles of the coaches he worked under. He was critical of Steve Borthwick, whom he described as lacking empathy and being overly data-driven, though he still praised his thorough approach and tactical clarity. Stuart Lancaster, meanwhile, was seen as inexperienced in handling high-pressure moments, while Warren Gatland struck him as distant and hard to connect with.
By contrast, Eddie Jones earned Youngs’s admiration for his ability to blend tactical acumen with personal engagement. Jones, he said, made him feel like a “world-beater” and fostered one of the most connected England squads he ever played in. However, Youngs admitted that Jones later struggled to maintain that balance when top coaching talent moved on.
Now retired, Youngs has embraced punditry and podcasting, finding joy in sharing his love for the sport. He has also suggested radical ideas to make rugby more appealing, such as reducing team sizes, limiting substitutes, and exploring summer schedules.
Looking back, Youngs says he is finally learning to take pride in his career, recognising not only the records he set but also the resilience he showed through hardship.
