A few days ago, Ben White burst onto the scene in red as he scored a brilliant try against the AUNZ Invitational XV, helping the British & Irish Lions take control of the match early on. His agile box kick and smart break from a ruck led directly to another score within ten minutes — a move Sky Sports described as “superb”.
He wasn't just playing; he was commanding the game. Even Andy Farrell seemed impressed with his calm control at No. 9 . This isn’t a flash in the pan — White has rapid rise written all over it.
From Leicester Teen to Lion-in-Waiting: A Journey of Grit
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Early Start: White debuted for Leicester Tigers at just 17 years and 151 days, breaking Ben Youngs’s record.
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After developing across clubs like London Irish and Toulon, he caught attention yet again with his Lion tour call-up — replacing the injured Tomos Williams.
In his own words, it “hasn’t sunk in yet” — and he said he was shaking when coach Andy Farrell called him . Love that raw emotion.
Reactions and Human Moments
Ben White has had a hell of a game. 👏
— Jim Kavanagh (@Jimbokav1971) July 12, 2025
Jac Morgan also on pitch whenever Lions play their best rugby.
Today was significant step up in performance levels. #Lions2025 🏉
Untold Insight: What You Might’ve Missed
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Language Adaptation
At Toulon, White is learning French in real time — his mentor? Rugby legend Ma’a Nonu. Imagine learning off-pitch just as intensely as on-pitch. -
Keeper of the Pack
While scrum-half isn’t always the spotlight position, White’s box kicks and ruck-awareness are giving the Lions much-needed structure. Think of him as a conductor versus a soloist. -
Leadership in the Making
At Leicester he captained both the U18s and the senior team by age 21 . That leadership footprint is rare — could he be a future test captain?
Why This Matters for Rugby
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Tour Depth: A tour is a marathon — you need squad players who can step up. White is showing he can handle pressure and win momentum.
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Scottish Pride: He’s only the eighth Scot to join a Lions tour — a big signal of Scotland’s rising talent .
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Next-Gen Influence: A young starter from Toulon, he brings a mix of Premiership, Top 14, and international fire to the Lions' blend.
