After a 14-year international career, having played in 4 World Cups, Ben Youngs is to retire from England rugby this Friday evening in the third-place play-off against Argentina.

Holt RFC was Ben’s grassroot club where he began his rugby journey, playing much of his rugby growing up at Bridge Road.

Previously Ben said “Holt is where I found my love of rugby, it is where I learned to feel free, to have fun, to compete and have that comradery with teammates. Every single player has started out at grassroots, and I was one of those lucky ones who was able to fulfil a dream off the back of it.” We are grateful that Ben, Tom and the Youngs family continue to be closely associated with our club.

Previous President Paul Williams said: “Ben began his rugby in the late 1990’s as a Mini Gladiator at Holt RFC under the careful guidance of his then coach Mike Bush. Ben attended Gresham’s School in Holt along with his brother Tom, where they both excelled at rugby. From here he moved into the Leicester Academy and subsequently into the England team.”

In early 2022, playing in the Guinness Six Nations, Ben became England's most capped male player of all time, and this achievement was captured in the commissioning of a mural on the side of our clubhouse by England Rugby. If you haven’t yet seen it, the mural design features Ben celebrating one of the greatest moments of his career when England won the Grand Slam in Paris in 2016. Please click the link to remind yourself of the astonishing video by England Rugby: Made at Holt

Paul continued: “Becoming the most capped England player in history with 127 caps is a huge testament to Ben’s resilience, fitness and ability to retain his place throughout management changes, whilst mentoring younger players coming into the squad. Ben is a wonderful ‘team’ player. Ben has remained ‘grounded’ and enjoyed visiting Holt RFC through his England career; opening the new clubhouse with brother Tom in 2016. Congratulations to you Ben on your hugely successful and record-breaking England rugby career. We wish you every happiness for your future.”

Current President and Ben’s Godfather Chris Harrison said: “I’ve followed Ben’s career for a very long time and remember his debut in 2010 when he came on against Scotland on the Wing! Ben, you have been a magnificent playing ambassador in world rugby with your record-breaking number of caps, showing true dedication to our national team. You deserve to be remembered as one of the true greats, not just as a player, but as a person.”

Rob Hughes, Chair of Holt RFC, said: “We are incredibly proud of what Ben has achieved in his career, he is an inspiration to all of us, especially the hundreds of minis and junior players that we have playing here every weekend. Just like them, Ben started as a young boy running out on our pitches. Ben, congratulations! To see you running out at the Stade de France on Friday for the last time in an England shirt will be a very moving and proud moment for us all.”

Our final words come from Ben’s inspirational first coach, Mike Bush: “I can’t believe it is exactly 30 years ago when I encouraged Ben to catch and pass a rugby ball in the Holt Gladiators! What a career – many congratulations to you Ben. I hope you’ve enjoyed every single moment – I certainly did watching you. All the best for the future. Bushy.”

Thank you from all the players, coaches, members and supporters at Holt RFC, and good luck on Friday evening!