Ben White joined Rugby Club Toulonnais in the summer of 2023, swapping the English Premiership for France’s Top 14. Two years on, the Scotland scrum-half has not only settled on the Côte d’Azur — he has committed his long-term future to the club, forced his way into the Scotland side and earned a British & Irish Lions call-up. This is a factual look at how the move has worked out, where his career started and why he chose Scotland over England.
Player Profile
| Full name | Ben White |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 May 1998, Stoke-on-Trent, England |
| Position | Scrum-half (No. 9) |
| Current club | Toulon (Top 14), contracted to 2028 |
| Previous clubs | Leicester Tigers, Doncaster Knights (loan), London Irish |
| Joined Toulon | 2 July 2023 |
| International team | Scotland (debut 2022 Six Nations) |
| Scotland caps | Approx. 38, with around 10 tries (mid-2026) |
| Honours of note | 2025 British & Irish Lions tour (Australia) |
From Leicester to the Top 14: White’s career path
Ben White was born on 27 May 1998 in Stoke-on-Trent, England, and came through the rugby system at Leicester Grammar School and Denstone College before turning professional.
Early years at Leicester Tigers
White began his senior career at Leicester Tigers, making his Premiership debut against Harlequins on 25 October 2015 at 17 years and 151 days old — at the time the youngest player to appear for the club in the Premiership. He spent six seasons at Welford Road, with a loan spell at Doncaster Knights along the way, before being released in 2021.
London Irish and the move to France
Ahead of the 2021-22 season White joined London Irish, where he played two campaigns. The club then collapsed financially and entered administration in July 2023, ceasing to operate. By that point White had already agreed his next step: a move to the Top 14 with Toulon, which he formally signed on 2 July 2023.
At Toulon he joined a squad that already featured France international Baptiste Serin, meaning the two would share the No. 9 shirt. A scrum-half is the player who feeds the ball into the scrum and links the forwards with the backs — a high-decision role where competition for the jersey is intense, as our guide to the different rugby positions explains.
Life at Toulon
When White arrived in France, then-head coach Pierre Mignoni praised his “speed, technical quality and playing intelligence”. White has said he was drawn to the challenge of learning a new language and culture and developing as a player away from the English game. Within his first season he was a regular for both club and country.
He extended his deal in early 2024 and spoke warmly about the environment, describing the coaches, players and supporters as excellent. The commitment has only deepened since: in late 2025 White signed a fresh two-year contract keeping him at Toulon until 2028, turning down a return to the UK. Earlier in 2025 he had agreed terms with Exeter Chiefs, but Toulon blocked the transfer and insisted he see out his contract, after which he chose to stay for the long term. Sale Sharks, Edinburgh and Perpignan were also linked with him.
How Toulon have fared
Toulon have been genuine contenders during White’s time there without landing the biggest domestic prize. In the 2024-25 Top 14 they finished third in the regular season before the play-offs, with Toulouse going on to win the title — their 24th — and Bordeaux Bègles claiming the European Champions Cup. Toulon remain regulars in the upper half of the table alongside Toulouse, Bordeaux Bègles and Bayonne.
That competitiveness is reflected in the markets. When bookmakers frame Top 14 title sports bets, Toulouse are typically shortest in the odds while Toulon sit further out as outsiders. Odds move constantly with form, injuries and fixtures, so any single price is only a snapshot — our overview of rugby betting explains how markets work rather than offering predictions.
Why did White choose Scotland over England?
White represented England at youth level, playing at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 and captaining the U20 side at the 2018 World Championship. Yet he ultimately qualified for and committed to Scotland through a Scottish grandfather, making his senior debut in the 2022 Six Nations.
The call from Gregor Townsend
The turning point came during an international break in 2021, while White was in his first season at London Irish. He received a text from Scotland’s lead analyst, Gavin Vaughan, which led to a phone call with head coach Gregor Townsend. Speaking to The Telegraph, White recalled how Townsend gave detailed feedback on his strengths and weaknesses and, over the following fortnight, kept sending him game clips via WhatsApp — praising some phases while questioning specific decisions, such as a moment of hesitation at a ruck.
White admitted he had not expected coaching at that level of detail, and said it made him realise how much focus and precision every part of his game demanded, from passing and kicking to his positioning off the ball. Townsend, who has coached Scotland since 2017 after a successful spell at Glasgow Warriors, built his squad around exactly that kind of homework.
Building an international career
White quickly became a fixture in the matchday squad, starting against England at Twickenham in the 2023 Six Nations and featuring at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. By mid-2026 he had earned roughly 38 caps for Scotland, scoring around 10 tries, with a habit of finding the line against England in particular. Scotland’s fixtures also bring him up against the southern-hemisphere giants; matches such as those covered in our All Blacks versus Scotland history show the level he now operates at.
Asked whether facing England carried extra emotion, White was measured: “Not really. The emotion has to be there for every Test match.” He credited mental-skills coaching — work with Aaron Walsh and, earlier, Mike Roberts at London Irish — for helping him stay “calm and controlled” while keeping his competitive edge.
The 2025 British & Irish Lions call-up
White’s consistency earned him a place on the sport’s biggest stage. In 2025 he was called into the British & Irish Lions squad in Australia as an injury replacement for Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams. He made his Lions debut off the tour matches, becoming Lion No. 883 — recognition that his Toulon move had raised, rather than reduced, his international standing. Playing week in, week out in the physically demanding Top 14 is often cited as a key part of that development.
Key Points
- Ben White moved from London Irish to Toulon in July 2023 after the English club collapsed.
- He signed a new contract in late 2025 to stay at Toulon until 2028, having turned down UK offers.
- Toulon blocked an agreed 2025 move to Exeter Chiefs before he committed long term.
- White qualifies for Scotland through a Scottish grandfather despite playing England youth rugby.
- He was called up to the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad as an injury replacement.
Has the move paid off?
On the available evidence, yes. White arrived at Toulon as a Premiership scrum-half looking to grow; he has since racked up more than 45 club appearances, tied himself to the club until 2028, cemented a starting role for Scotland and toured with the Lions. The move that some might have seen as a gamble in 2023 now looks like a career-defining decision — a reminder that for New Zealand fans following the northern game, the Top 14 remains one of the strongest development environments in world rugby.
Responsible Gambling
This article mentions betting markets only to describe how a team’s title prospects are perceived; it is not betting advice and no outcome is ever guaranteed. Odds do not improve your chances of winning, and losses cannot be recovered by chasing them. Gambling in New Zealand is restricted to those aged 18 and over. If betting is affecting you or someone you know, free, confidential support is available from the Gambling Helpline New Zealand (0800 654 655) and from Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora. Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did Ben White join Toulon?
Ben White signed for Toulon on 2 July 2023, moving from London Irish after that Premiership club fell into administration. He has been a regular for the Top 14 side ever since.
How long is Ben White contracted to Toulon?
White signed a new two-year deal in late 2025 that keeps him at Toulon until 2028. He turned down interest from several UK clubs to remain in France, having earlier been prevented from joining Exeter Chiefs.
Why does Ben White play for Scotland and not England?
Although he represented England at youth level, White qualifies for Scotland through a Scottish grandfather. He committed to Scotland after conversations with head coach Gregor Townsend and analyst Gavin Vaughan, making his senior debut in the 2022 Six Nations.
How many caps does Ben White have for Scotland?
By the middle of 2026 White had earned around 38 caps for Scotland, scoring roughly 10 tries. He has been a frequent starter at scrum-half and has scored against England on several occasions.
Did Ben White play for the British & Irish Lions?
Yes. White was called into the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad in Australia as an injury replacement for Tomos Williams and made his Lions debut on tour, becoming Lion No. 883.