27 October 2023 , 12:10
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When Steve Borthwick’s tribute to England’s most-capped male player came to an end he shook the hand of Ben Youngs and said two simple words.
In a week dogged and dominated by the distraction of the racist slur Tom Curry says was aimed at him in England’s World Cup semi-final, Youngs’ retirement threatened to slip under the radar.
His 14 years of service, 126 caps, four World Cups and the same number of Six Nations titles lost in a sea of claim and counter claim.
“Steve shook my hand and said, 'Thank you’," revealed the scrum-half. "It didn't need to be any more than that.”
Youngs has done rugby proud his whole career. Beyond his own playing feats he supported family in their hour of need, stayed with his club Leicester in theirs, and throughout it all remained unfailingly courteous.
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“Every coach has a preference, every coach wants different things,” said the 34-year old. “I have had four with England and been picked by all of them.
“I guess I am proud of that because it shows I clearly bring something to the party.
Youngs celebrates his and England's finest hour - beating NZ in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals (AFP via Getty Images)“I’m so honoured and privileged to have done it for this long, to end it on my terms then get to walk away. It feels like absolutely the right time.”
Between him and the finish line stands a third place play-off against Argentina, a team desperate to atone for their 44-point semi-final humiliation by New Zealand.
Youngs is not about to count chickens, to assume he will sign off with a World Cup bronze medal to go with the silver he picked up as beaten finalist in 2019.
Ben and brother Tom celebrate with fans after Leicester's Premiership final win over Saracens in 2022 (Getty Images)He remembers how Leicester team mate Chris Ashton’s career ended - with him breaking the Premiership try record only to then be sent off in his final match.
“I have done my part...as long as I don't blow it on Friday,” he said. “It could happen. Ashy thought he had nailed it when he scored the most tries and he got red carded the next week.
“There is a lesson in that. You just don't know, do you? I have seen it get real high with England and I have been through a few rebuilds.”
Youngs made a match winning full debut for England against Australia in 2010Youngs burst onto the scene as a 20-year old with a brilliant solo try to beat Australia in Sydney in 2010. He is equally fondly remembered for putting others before himself seven years later.
With brother Tom’s wife Tiff seriously ill - she passed away in 2022 - he withdrew from the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand to offer his support.
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Inside Stade de France this evening Tom and daughter Maisie will be there for him, joining Ben’s wife Charlotte and kids Boris and Billie to witness his final hurrah.
He will then join Courtney Lawes, Jonny May, Joe Marler and Dan Cole in exiting the stage for the last time.
TEAMS
England: Smith; Steward, Marchant, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, Dan, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Curry, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: George, Rodd, Cole, Ribbans, Ludlam, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
Argentina: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, de la Fuente, M Carreras; S Carreras, Cubelli; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Kodela, Petti, Rubiolo, Gonzalez, Kremer, Isa.
Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Alemanno, Bruni, Bazan Velez, Sanchez, Moroni.