When Ben White became Leicester Tigers’ youngest-ever Premiership player, he broke the record of an all-time great in Ben Youngs.
A decade later, White is following in the footsteps of England’s most capped men’s player by touring with The British & Irish Lions in Australia.
The Scotland scrum-half had to bide his time, narrowly missing out on initial selection.
But when Tomos Williams was ruled out of the 2025 Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour with a hamstring injury, Andy Farrell was straight onto the phone to White.
It was a quick hop across the Tasman Sea from New Zealand, where he was touring with Scotland, and White debuted in red in a Lions victory over NSW Waratahs.
That appearance was the culmination of an eventful journey to the top.
PRODIGIOUS TALENT
White was destined for the top from an early age, earning a spot in the Leicester Tigers academy while at school at Leicester Grammar School.
In fact, he was still there when Richard Cockerill had him training with the first team, giving him his debut at 17 years and 151 days in a hard-fought win over Harlequins in 2015.
He had clearly impressed Cockerill, who had no qualms throwing the youngster into the deep end in front of a packed crowd.
"Ben has been training with us all pre-season and has been taking time off from Leicester Grammar School to come and join us," Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury.
"I keep telling him to tell his dad to forget about the school fees and just get him down here training. I'll have no problems putting him in there.
"When you are that young, you don't worry about anything, you just crack on.
"He is a good kid and he has practiced what he did on Sunday. Cometh the hour, in front of 17,500 people at Welford Road, he was good enough to make it work."
At the same time, White was an integral member of the England age-group set-up, even captaining the Under-20s.
With that team, he made it all the way to the World Rugby Under-20s Championship final, playing alongside future Lions teammate Marcus Smith in the half-backs.
FINDING HIS FEET
Despite his undoubted potential, White’s path to first team rugby at Leicester was blocked by Youngs, still in the prime of his career.
Over the course of six years, he managed 72 appearances, including 27 starts, but made the decision to move to London Irish in 2021 for greater opportunities.
Initially backing up Wallaby international Nick Phipps, White started to show what he could do on a more regular basis for the Exiles.
In a team playing an expansive brand of rugby under former Ireland coach Declan Kidney and the next Wallaby boss Les Kiss, White thrived with the high tempo employed.
Speaking to the club website, he explained just how much the move had invigorated his career. White said: “It’s a credit to the club, from my perspective moving here was the best thing that ever happened to me.
“I know wouldn’t be in the position I am in now without this club and the coaches.”
SCOTTISH SUCCESS
Although White played age-group rugby for England, and even a non-cap match against the Barbarians, he was also eligible to play for Scotland through his Scottish grandfather.
As a result, Gregor Townsend called him into the Scotland squad for the 2022 Six Nations and he made his international debut in a Calcutta Cup victory over the country of his birth.
White scored a try in that match after coming off the bench early for Ali Price, returning later in the game as Scotland saw out the win.
He has not looked back since, establishing himself as Price’s successor in the starting jersey and forming a potent partnership with another Lion, Finn Russell.
CROSSING THE CHANNEL
White, who is part of a particularly sporty household in a relationship with tennis player Jodie Burrage, saw his career dramatically shifted in 2023.
When London Irish went into administration, he found himself looking for a new club at short notice, and was quickly signed up by French giants Toulon.
There, he has split time with France international Baptiste Serin and this season helped Toulon reach the Top 14 semi-finals.
After a strong campaign with Scotland in the Six Nations, he was right in the mix for Lions selection but did not hear his name called at the O2 Arena.
However, as has been the case throughout history for the Lions, there is always room for a late call-up to make an impact.
When Williams was ruled out with injury, White hopped across from New Zealand and was able to appreciate the contrasting emotions between disappointment at the announcement and elation after being brought in.
"It was an experience that I can put in the locker," he said. "I just knew I had to just do what I could and try to play well for my club, Toulon.
"I was really excited to be on tour with Scotland, and to play for Scotland's amazing, and I was focused on that.
"I guess that someone's looking out for me upstairs. It's falling on my feet."
White made his debut off the bench in the win over the Waratahs and has joined Alex Mitchell and Jamison Gibson-Park as scrum-half options in the squad.
