{"id":295760,"date":"2023-10-29T08:28:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=295760"},"modified":"2023-10-29T08:28:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:28:02","slug":"england-rugby-world-cup-star-ben-youngs-hid-retirement-plan-from-steve-borthwick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/rugby-league\/england-rugby-world-cup-star-ben-youngs-hid-retirement-plan-from-steve-borthwick\/","title":{"rendered":"England Rugby World Cup star Ben Youngs hid retirement plan from Steve Borthwick"},"content":{"rendered":"

Borthwick backs Curry after racial slur controversy calling it a 'World Rugby matter'<\/h3>\n

Ben Youngs has revealed that England head coach Steve Borthwick only learned of his decision to retire from international rugby after picking the scrum-half for Friday\u2019s bronze medal match against Argentina. Youngs will make his first start of the Rugby World Cup in what will be his 127th and final test match for the Red Rose.<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old has decided to bow out of international rugby following England\u2019s elimination in last weekend\u2019s semi-final. Borthwick\u2019s side were narrowly beaten 17-16 by South Africa in France.<\/p>\n

But Youngs waited until Borthwick informed the Leicester star of his selection for the third-place clash against Argentina. He has no regrets about calling time on an international career that has spanned 13 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve told me that I was playing, then after he told me I was playing, I told him, \u2018There\u2019s something you need to know\u2019, because I hadn\u2019t spoken to him about it at all and I wanted him to know. I said, \u2018Look, this will be my last game and I\u2019m grateful for the chance to do that.\u2019<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> England could pocket Rugby World Cup prize money boost with win over Argentina[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud and privileged that I\u2019m able to call it a day on Friday and get that opportunity. I\u2019ve done it for so long and there\u2019s great talent within the nine jersey. It\u2019s just right. It just feels right. I feel so content.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact I had this in my head for a long time and then I didn\u2019t hesitate about it makes me realise that it\u2019s absolutely the right decision. Even now, telling all of you, there\u2019s not a part of me that thinks \u2018what if\u2019 \u2013 I\u2019m absolutely making the right call.\u201d<\/p>\n

Youngs is England\u2019s most-capped international ever. He will move 13 ahead of Jason Leonard\u2019s 114 appearances when he takes to the field against Argentina.<\/p>\n