BenWhite

Ben White is embarking on his maiden British & Irish Lions Tour in Australia this summer.

Called in to the squad as an injury replacement for Tomos Williams, the scrum-half has been a regular presence for Scotland on the international stage in recent years and will now look to take the step up in the famous Lions jersey.

He made his senior international debut during the 2022 Six Nations and has since held down the No.9 shirt for his country thanks to his high-energy displays and nose for the try line.

White initially represented England at youth level, earning caps at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 level before opting for Scotland.

The Stoke native captained England Under-20s and was a key part of the squad that reached the final of the 2018 World Rugby Under-20 Championship alongside fellow future Lion Marcus Smith.

White’s prodigious talent was also recognised at domestic level, as the scrum-half became the youngest player to appear for Leicester Tigers in the Premiership when he made his debut aged just 17 years and 151 days.

White continued as part of the Leicester set up, via a loan spell at Doncaster Knights, until 2021 when he moved to London Irish, where regular game time helped him earn international recognition with Scotland.

It took White, who is part of a sporting power couple with tennis star Jodie Burrage, just a few minutes to score his first international try and the scrum-half has developed a knack for scoring in the Calcutta Cup, crossing in three of the last four meetings between Scotland and England.

He moved to Toulon in 2023 and has impressed in the Top 14. He will now get a chance to translate that form onto a Lions Tour.