The scrum-half – a Test match starter for the Lions in Australia alongside his brother Tom in 2013 – will win his 85th England cap in their Six Nations decider and become England’s most capped No.9 of all time.
The 29-year-old has started all five of England’s game in this year’s Championship and again partners fellow Lion Owen Farrell in the half-backs for the Red Rose.
“It’s really nice and I’m grateful to have had this many opportunities to play for England,” said the Leicester Tiger – who was also selected for the 2017 Lions Tour but then pulled out to support his brother Tom after his wife Tiffany’s cancer diagnosis.
“It is an exciting game at the weekend, and although it’s a great achievement, at the moment I think it means more to the parents and family. For me it is about getting the team right for Scotland.”
Youngs’ head coach with England Eddie Jones also paid tribute to his scrum-half in what is going to be a crunch Calcutta Cup clash.
#ENGvSCO | @LeicesterTigers‘ @benyoungs09 reflects on his life in rugby ahead of becoming the most capped England scrum half of all time this Saturday at Twickenham: https://t.co/RC6TXDwM4V pic.twitter.com/ehSmuRTyMH
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 14, 2019
“It’s fantastic,” said Jones. “It takes a lot of dedication and hard work and is something I’m sure he and his family will be very proud of, and I’m sure he will do the shirt great justice at the weekend.”
Another Test Lion in Jack Nowell has also been recalled to the starting XV as England aim to re-claim the bragging rights after Scotland’s impressive win in 2018.
Nowell is joined in the back three by 2017 tourist Elliot Daly, while Farrell and Youngs also have Manu Tuilagi from the 2013 Tour in the backline.
Up front Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler continue in the front row while George Kruis remains at lock with Dan Cole and Ben Te’o bringing their Lions experience off the bench.
On Nowell, Jones added: “Jack Nowell is back to full fitness so he comes into the side for Joe Cokanasiga. We were very happy with Joe last week and he will continue to develop as a very good player for us.”
