The delight on Ben Earl’s face was there for all to see when he was interviewed just after the British & Irish Lions squad announcement on 8 May.
It was with good reason: the 27-year-old had just heard his name called out by Lions chair Ieuan Evans, confirming his place in head coach Andy Farrell’s 38-man touring party for the upcoming series against Australia.
It was ultimate recognition for a body of work with Saracens and England that has attracted plenty of plaudits in recent years.
Now, the versatile back rower, who even operated at centre for in the most recent Six Nations - will want to kick on and grab the opportunity to impress Down Under with both hands.
Career highlight
Earl’s career is one built on the foundations of an impeccable work-rate and drive to succeed, with a series of team triumphs and individual awards testament to his talents.
Since making his debut for Saracens against Gloucester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November 2016, the Surrey native has gone on to win three Premiership Rugby crowns as well as the 2021/22 Premiership Rugby Player of the Season award.
During a loan spell at Bristol Bears during the 2019/20 campaign, Earl won the European Challenge Cup, playing all 80 minutes in the 32-19 victory over Toulon at Stade Maurice David.
On the international front, Earl has played 41 times for England since making his debut in 2020, winning the Guinness Six Nations that year too.
Despite all he has achieved, being given the nod to don the fabled red jersey ranks at number one in his list of highlights, a moment he was able to share with is family and friends.
“It is the best news I have had in my career,” Earl said via video link from his home to the audience gathered at the O2 arena to witness the squad announcement.
“It has been a tortuous couple of weeks. For it to come down to today has been pretty amazing. I am so, so pleased.
“I did not sleep at all [during the preceding 24 hours]. It has been painful and long. You overthink everything but it is out of your hands, and you have to do the best you can with the situation that it is.
“Mum was crying. Dad was trying not to cry. A couple of my teammates are around mine now and they’ve been jumping around in the TV room, and I can’t wait to go and join them!”
Banging down the door
Life as a professional has not always been plain sailing for Earl and his career progression has been no means linear.
Despite being named the best domestic player in 2022, Earl was not able to nail down a regular spot in the England side, with his first 15 appearances for his country coming via the bench.
But he has never been one to wallow, instead choosing to overcome challenges by getting his head down and working even harder.
“The moment you start looking for excuses, the moment you start ‘I’m just unlucky, my face doesn’t fit’, is probably the moment you give somebody the reason to drop you,” he said back in 2023 after that year’s Guinness Six Nations where he made two substitute appearances.
“I’ve kind of got to stay with it. Steve [Borthwick] was unbelievably positive about my work in the Six Nations.
“Unfortunately, selection didn’t always go my way, but I’m trying to stay positive and put my best foot forward in these big games, which are probably the ones he’s looking at the most.”
It was a philosophy that served Earl well. He went onto make his first England start against Wales in August 2023 and hasn’t looked back since.
Earl started in all bar one of England’s games at the World Cup in France, where Borthwick’s side won the bronze medal having lost to eventual champions South Africa in the semi-finals.
During the 2024 Six Nations, he scored two tries and made a competition-high 73 carries, earning himself a place in the Team of the Championship, a nomination for Player of the Championship and later being voted England Men's Player of the Year.
No longer grafting in the periphery, Earl is now front and centre when it comes to his country.
Sporting friends
During his teens, Earl attended Tonbridge School in Kent alongside the now England cricket international Zak Crawley.
The pair are good friends and have spent many a day playing golf together having also both played age-group cricket at Kent.
“Sometimes it’s nice to offload to someone who doesn’t have an agenda in rugby,” Earl told the Guardian in 2021. “I like to think it’s a relationship that helps us both. Have we struggled with selection and form at times? Yes, we have. But it’s nice to know it’s not just happening to you; it’s happening in other sports as well.”
Belief on and off the pitch
Earl credits his religion for part of his success, after coming to Christianity in his late teens after a childhood that was not especially religious.
It was Earl’s time at school, which featured a daily walk to and from the chapel, that nudged him towards the teachings of the Bible, which helped him deal with the stress of exams and life.
“I was asking ‘what’s this all about? why are people invested in this?’ And the lessons, the morals that you gain, the perspective you get is huge,” he told The i newspaper in 2024.
“I found a lot of comfort in it, as a very grounding, humbling companion, security, soundboard. You’ve got something to come back to, from the highs and lows of professional sport, the frustrations you can have – whether that’s selection, relationships you may have in rugby, injuries or setbacks.
“It’s nice to have something that’s bigger than sport, something that’s bigger than family at the end of the day. That you’re here for a bigger purpose. That there’s something else, a reason why you’re here.
“I like that idea of using God’s gifts of what he’s given you. I’ve been fortunate enough to be given a set of skills, or a set of talents, like we all have who are here, and trying to make the most of that and trying to affect people in a positive way.”
Earl is sometimes joined at his church – St Peter’s in Notting Hill – by the man named as Lions captain for the Tour to Australia, Maro Itoje.
The fact he will be able to play for his Saracens and England captain for the Lions is extra special to Earl, joking that he could not congratulate the 30-year-old on receiving the honour from Farrell straight away, due to his highly conspicuous absence from Sarries’ training ground.
“Firstly, I am so pleased for Maro. I have not had the chance to speak to him yet because he did not turn up to training today,” he grinned.
“What a leader and what a year he’s had. No one deserves it more and I can’t wait to watch him lead the best team in sport.”
