England's most-capped men's player, Ben Youngs, has announced his retirement at the end of the 2024-25 season. The 35-year-old scrum-half has had an illustrious career, playing in 127 Tests for England and winning four Six Nations titles. He also secured five Premiership titles with Leicester Tigers.

Youngs made his debut for Leicester at just 17 years old in April 2007 and has since made 332 appearances for the club. His recent performance in Sunday's win at Bristol marked his final season with the team.

"It's a bittersweet feeling," Youngs shared on the club's website. "I'm sad it's ending, but excited about what this season holds. There's still plenty of rugby left, and I'm not done yet."

Career Highlights

• International Debut: March 2010
• World Cup Appearances: 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
• British and Irish Lions: Featured in the 2013 tour of Australia

Youngs retired from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup in France, where he helped England secure a third-place finish. He also played alongside his brother, Tom Youngs, who retired in 2022. Their father, Nick Youngs, also represented Leicester from 1981 to 1988.

In 2021, the Youngs family became the first to reach 600 appearances for Leicester Tigers, a milestone now standing at 692.

"Playing for Leicester has been my life," Youngs added. "Finishing as a one-club player is one of my greatest achievements. I’ll thank everyone later, but for now, I’m focused on ending this chapter with more success."

Youngs' legacy in rugby is cemented not just by his on-field achievements but also by his dedication to the sport and his club. His retirement marks the end of an era for Leicester Tigers and England rugby.