Ben Youngs out, Lions icon in? Leicester line up stunning scrum-half swap
Yesterday at 04:42 PM
England's most-capped men's player, Ben Youngs, has confirmed he will retire at the end of the 2024/25 season — drawing the curtain on a glittering career that's spanned nearly two decades.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
The 35-year-old scrum-half, who has racked up a remarkable 127 caps for England, also boasts four Six Nations titlesand five Premiership crowns with Leicester Tigers.
From teenage Tiger to club legend
Youngs burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced 17-year-old back in April 2007, becoming Leicester's youngest-ever Premiership player. Fast forward to this weekend, and he made his 332nd appearance for the club during their victory over Bristol — a true one-club stalwart.
Who's next in line?
Youngs' departure will leave a noticeable void at Welford Road. With Jack van Poortvliet the only senior scrum-half currently on the books — and expected to be missing during England duty — the Tigers are already eyeing up reinforcements.
Irish royalty on the radar?
One surprise name reportedly on Leicester's shortlist is none other than Ireland great Conor Murray. The 35-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to confirm whether he'll be continuing his playing career.
Murray, who signed a one-year extension with Munster last year, remains a reliable figure when fit. But with international retirement expected after the 2025 Six Nations, he's weighing up his next move.
Pollard out, Anscombe in?
With Handré Pollard — the club's highest-paid star — set to leave Welford Road at season's end, Leicester are expected to make some big moves in the transfer market.
Reports suggest they'll replace the South African World Cup winner with Welsh playmaker Gareth Anscombe, currently with Gloucester.
Could we be seeing Murray and Anscombe steering the ship at Tigers next season? Watch this space.
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Three England Stars Who Could Lose Their Central Contracts
Last October, England handed out 17 enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts as part of the shiny new Professional Game Partnership deal.
It gave head coach Steve Borthwick more control than ever, including the final word on all sports science and medical matters.
Among the big winners were George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith – all three fly-halves receiving upgraded deals ahead of the autumn internationals.
But fast forward six months, and not all those golden ticket holders are sitting pretty. We take a look at three players who could be on the chopping block ahead of the next round of central contract decisions.
#1. Henry Slade – The Class Act Losing His Place
Slade's silky style has long made him a favourite with fans – but his Six Nations was anything but smooth. Once pencilled in as a midfield maestro, he now finds himself completely out of Borthwick's 23.
His combination with Ollie Lawrence never quite clicked, and although there were flickers of promise, it wasn’t enough to convince the coaches. Slade was ultimately cast aside in favour of Fraser Dingwall, and now his England future – and his central contract – looks seriously uncertain.
Possible replacement: Fraser Dingwall
The mid-Six Nations switch that saw him take Slade’s place has given Dingwall a solid opportunity to make a real push for a long-term role in the squad. A gritty and intelligent player, he's an ideal fit in the centre and could continue his rise with consistent performances.
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