Norfolk's Ben Youngs to win 100th England cap against Italy

Ben Youngs in training with England.
Ben Youngs training with England. Credit: PA

Norfolk scrum-half Ben Youngs will become only the second player to win 100 caps for England when he takes on Italy this weekend.

The 31-year-old has been named in the team to face the Italians in Rome on Saturday in the final round of the Six Nations.

Only prop Jason Leonard has racked up 100 caps for England before (114), but providing he doesn't pick up a last minute injury, Youngs will now join him in reaching the illustrious milestone.

Youngs grew up in Norfolk and played for both Holt and North Walsham rugby clubs when he was a youngster.

The Leicester Tigers man made his England debut against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2010, coming on a substitute on the wing.

Youngs will lead out England at the Stadio Olimpico, alongside hooker Jamie George who will win his 50th cap in the same game.

  • Watch an interview with England head coach Eddie Jones

"He's a fantastic guy, he's a great team man," Head Coach Eddie Jones told ITV's Good Morning Britain.

"It's disappointing he can't play in front of his family tomorrow, but we're all pleased for him and we want to celebrate it with a good performance."

With the game against Italy being staged behind closed doors, Ben's family won't be able to be in Rome for his special day, but speaking to ITV News Anglia, his cousin Joe Buxton said they will be watching with pride back home in Norfolk.

  • Watch an interview with Ben's cousin Joe Buxton

"To think that there are kids out there doing what we used to do, and Ben Youngs is the player that they want to be - it's mind-blowing when you think about it," he said.

"Ben's a real solid family man. All the family would love to be there, but we're very lucky that we've got a really tight family in Norfolk. Wherever we are, we'll be having a beer or two. We're so lucky Ben and Tom (Ben's brother) are our cousins and our good mates at the end of the day."

Ben Youngs' journey to 100 caps

Ben Youngs used to play in the youth team at Holt. Credit: Holt RFC

  • Position: Scrum-half

  • Previous clubs: Holt RFC, North Walsham RFC

  • Current club: Leicester Tigers

  • England caps: 99

  • Age at 100 caps: 31

  • Time taken to reach 100 caps: 10 years

  • Honours: Grand Slam – 2016, Six Nations titles – 2011, 2017, World Cup finalist - 2019