MY ACCOUNT
Ex-England star Jason Leonard has congratulated Ben Youngs as he gets set to become the nation’s most-capped player in men’s international rugby ahead in their Six Nations clash with Wales.
The scrum-half will start from the bench for Eddie Jones’ side at Twickenham, with Harry Randall favoured in the initial XV, but will win his 115th cap for his country when he enters the fray.
That will take him past former World Cup winner Leonard, with whom he jointly sits on 114 caps at the top of the leaderboard.
The former Harlequins favourite took to social media ahead of the match to pay tribute to Youngs’ achievement.
“All the best Ben Youngs,” the former prop wrote on Twitter. “I know Twickenham will raise the roof for your 115th cap, as I will be one of them!
“I couldn’t want for a better individual to pass the record [to] as you are an absolute credit to the game. [It’s been] an absolute honour to have held the record for so long.”
Youngs will remain shy of Leonard’s total international cap record for a few more games at least, however, given that the latter has played more games for the British and Irish Lions.
Both remain well shy of Wales stalwart Alun Wyn Jones’ all-time men’s record, with the lock having picked up 161 caps to date – 149 for Wales and a dozen for the Lions.
