Rugby World Cup 2023: Ben Youngs announces England retirement after third-place play-off against Argentina

Ben Youngs will retire from international duty with England after the Rugby World Cup third-place play-off against Argentina on Friday.

Youngs will earn his first start at this year’s tournament in his 127th and final cap, with Alex Mitchell and Leicester Tigers team-mate Jack van Poortvliet both higher up in Steve Borthwick’s scrum-half hierarchy.

The 34-year-old will now close the door on a 13-year career for his country, which began with his Test debut against Scotland in March 2010.

In total, he has featured in four World Cups, won four Six Nations titles including one Grand Slam, and was a runner-up at the 2019 World Cup.

He started his career on the wing for his country, before featuring at scrum-half for the first time in a 21-20 victory over Australia in Sydney and making the position his own.

He is now the most capped England men's player – a record he achieved after earning his 115th cap against Wales in February 2022.

Youngs will just miss out on becoming the all-time appearance maker for both the men’s and women’s team, falling 10 caps behind Rocky Clark's haul of 137 caps.

The England scrum-half’s decision to retire follows Wales legend Leigh Halfpenny’s announcement to call it a day earlier on Wednesday.

“After having time to reflect after the Rugby World Cup campaign, it’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from international rugby,” Halfpenny said.

“The decision hasn’t been easy, but the time feels right for me now and I look forward to running out one last time against the Barbarians next week at home.

“It’s been such a huge honour and privilege to put on the Welsh jersey and represent my country over the past 15 years.”

Halfpenny revealed his last match for his country will come against the Barbarians on November 4 after earning more than 100 caps for Wales.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media