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Ben Kay
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Ben Kay
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Key Information

Benedict James Kay MBE (born 14 December 1975) is an English retired international rugby union footballer who played second row forward for Leicester Tigers, England and the British & Irish Lions.

Background

[edit]

Kay was born in Liverpool, the only son of Lord Justice of Appeal Sir John William Kay (1943–2004),[1] His sister, Dame Amanda Yip, is also a judge. His father's vocation later earned Ben the nickname "M'lud".[2][3] Kay first started playing rugby for Waterloo minis going on to play for the Waterloo first team.

Kay played for his school (Merchant Taylors' Boys' School, Crosby) and has also played for Queensland University. He represented England in the 1996 Students World Cup in South Africa and at U18, U19 and U21 level. He attended Loughborough University, where he obtained a degree in Sports Science.

Career

[edit]
Ben Kay with the Guinness Premiership trophy

Kay joined Leicester Tigers from Waterloo in 1999 and first played during the World Cup, with Tigers' normal Second rows Martin Johnson and Fritz van Heerden away with England and South Africa respectively. With the help of Johnson and van Heerden, he developed his game, becoming a highly rated middle line-out jumper, like van Heerden. He was a member of Tigers' Heineken Cup winning sides in 2001[4] and 2002[5] as his international career blossomed.

Having made his England A debut against France A in Blagnac in 2000 Kay led England A to a 23–22 win over France A at Redruth in April 2001, and was called up for England's successful tour of North America and Japan that summer. He made his England debut against Canada on 2 June 2001 displacing Danny Grewcock from the England side.[6]

After another outstanding season he was named as the Tigers Members' Player of the Year 2001/2, and was a nominee for the Zurich Premiership Player of the Year. He was in the starting line-up for all the Six Nations games in 2002, and scored a try against Ireland.[7] After touring with England to Argentina in the summer of 2002, where he scored his second try,[8] Kay went on to compete in both the Autumn internationals and the Six Nations, before touring to New Zealand and Australia in June 2003.

Kay confirmed his status as a core part of the England squad in the World Cup when he played every minute of every England game except the game against Uruguay. His line-out skills came to the fore here, particularly during the games against South Africa, when Kay learned to count in Afrikaans to crack the Springboks' line-out codes.[9] During the final against Australia, Kay famously knocked-on (dropped the ball forwards) in a try-scoring position when a try would have almost certainly meant an England win. England won regardless, partly as a result of Tigers' teammate Lewis Moody winning a line-out Kay himself had called.[citation needed]

Sir Clive Woodward selected him for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.[10] Kay came off the bench against Argentina in an official Test prior to the tour.[11] Kay started in the first Test of the series.[12]

He was the only player to play every minute of England's 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign culminating in their narrow loss in the Final.[13] He was one of only four players to have started both the 2003 and 2007 RWC Finals, the other three being Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson and Phil Vickery.

Kay helped Leicester win the Premiership in 2007, starting the final as they defeated Gloucester.[14] He was a used replacement in every game of the 2008 Six Nations.[15]

Kay started both the 2008–09 Heineken Cup final and the Guinness Premiership win the same season.[16] The Tigers won back-to-back Premiership titles the following season, in the 2009–10 Guinness Premiership, by beating Saracens 33–27 at Twickenham,[17] though Kay did not feature in that game. He decided to retire at the end of the 2009–10 season after 11 years with Leicester Tigers.[18][19] He has since worked as a commentator for ESPN and BT Sport.

He also served as non-executive director on Leicester Tigers' board of directors between 2014 and 2021.[20]

Personal life

[edit]

Kay is a supporter of Liverpool FC.[21][22]

In 2002, Kay married long-time girlfriend Virginia, a physiotherapist,[23] and they have two children.[24] His long time Leicester Tigers and England teammate Martin Johnson was an usher at his wedding.

Kay paid his respects to his former sports teacher at Merchant Taylors, Ian 'Robbo' Robinson, who died in a white water rafting incident whilst on a rugby tour with the school.[25]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Ben Kay

View on Grokipedia
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Benedict James Kay MBE (born 14 December 1975) is a retired English rugby union lock forward renowned for his contributions to Leicester Tigers, the England national team, and the British & Irish Lions. Kay began his professional career with Waterloo before joining Leicester Tigers in 1999, where he made 281 appearances over 11 seasons until his retirement in 2010. With the Tigers, he secured six English Premiership titles and two Heineken Cup victories, establishing himself as a cornerstone of one of the era's most dominant club sides. Internationally, Kay earned 62 caps for England between 2001 and 2009, playing every minute of their triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup campaign, which culminated in a 20–17 victory over Australia in the final. He also featured in the 2007 World Cup final and represented the British & Irish Lions on their 2005 tour to New Zealand, starting in the first Test against the All Blacks. For his role in the 2003 World Cup success, Kay was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2003 New Year Honours. Following his playing career, Kay transitioned into media and business, becoming a prominent rugby pundit, commentator, and columnist for outlets including ITV Sport, TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport), , and . He also serves as a partner at the award-winning advertising agency and as a and for the Rugby Players' Association's Restart charity, supporting former players. Standing at 1.98 meters and weighing 112 kilograms during his career, Kay's athleticism and lineout expertise defined his on-field legacy, while his post-retirement endeavors have extended his influence in rugby's broader ecosystem.

Early Life and Education

Family Background

Ben Kay was born on 14 December 1975 in , . He was the only son of Sir John William Kay, a prominent English who served as a Lord Justice of Appeal and was born in 1943. Sir John, who died suddenly in 2004 at the age of 60, came from a family with roots in business, and his career in law exemplified a commitment to and intellectual rigor. Kay's childhood nickname, "M'lud," reflected his father's judicial title and the influence of this legal heritage on his early life. Kay has a sister, Dame Amanda Louise Yip, who followed in the family tradition by becoming a judge and later a of Appeal. Born in like her brother, Yip was appointed to the in 2017 after a distinguished career at the Bar, specializing in and clinical negligence law. The siblings' upbringing in a household dominated by legal professions fostered an environment that prioritized discipline, education, and professional achievement, shaping Kay's approach to his own pursuits from an early age.

Schooling and University

Ben Kay attended Merchant Taylors' Boys' School in Crosby, , where he completed his from 1986 to 1994. The school, known for its strong emphasis on academic and extracurricular development, provided Kay with a foundational environment that supported his early interests in sports alongside rigorous schooling. Following his time at Merchant Taylors', Kay pursued higher education at , enrolling in 1995 to study and Management. He graduated in 1998 with a BSc (Hons) in and . , renowned for its world-class sports facilities and programs, allowed Kay to deepen his academic focus on sports-related disciplines while integrating practical applications. Kay's transition from school to university marked a seamless shift into a more specialized academic and athletic pathway, where he joined the Students rugby program as part of the university's integrated sports ecosystem. This move aligned his educational pursuits with enhanced opportunities in and team-based activities.

Initial Rugby Involvement

Ben Kay began his rugby journey at the age of five with the Waterloo minis, joining their under-9s team despite being underage, as arranged by his mother to channel his energy into the sport. He progressed through the club's youth ranks and eventually debuted for the Waterloo first team at the amateur level, honing his skills as a lock forward before turning professional. During his youth, Kay earned representative honors with at the under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels, showcasing his potential as a lineout specialist and forward. While studying at , where he pursued a degree in , he played for the Loughborough Students RUFC and also represented in the 1996 Students held in . Additionally, during a university exchange or tour, he gained experience with Queensland University in . These student-level opportunities solidified his technical foundation and competitive edge in the sport.

Club Career

Early Professional Steps

Following his graduation from Loughborough University with a degree in Sports Science in 1998, Ben Kay joined Waterloo RFC, his hometown club, for the 1998-99 season. At the time, Waterloo competed in the Allied Premiership Two, the second tier of the English league system, providing Kay with competitive exposure in a post-professionalization environment. Kay's stint at Waterloo represented a key developmental phase, where he established himself as a lock forward, focusing on physical conditioning and set-piece play in lower-tier matches. In 1999, he secured his first fully professional contract with , debuting for the club amid the when their primary second-row players were on international duty. This move transitioned him from regional competition to the elite Premiership level.

Leicester Tigers Tenure

Ben Kay joined in 1999, arriving from Waterloo RFC to cover for the club's senior locks who were absent on duty. Over the course of his 11-year professional tenure with the club, ending in 2010, he amassed 281 appearances and scored 60 points, primarily through tries as a forward. As a towering lock forward standing at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), Kay became an integral part of Leicester's renowned forward pack, known for its physical dominance, line-out precision, and set-piece mastery during one of the club's most successful eras. Kay's contributions were central to Leicester's European triumphs, including back-to-back Heineken Cup victories in 2001 and 2002, where the Tigers defeated and respectively in the finals, showcasing their forward-heavy style under coaches like Bob Dwyer and Pat Howard. These wins solidified Leicester's status as a European powerhouse and highlighted Kay's reliability in high-stakes matches, often partnering with legends like Martin Johnson to control the game's forward battles. In domestic competition, Kay played a key role in Leicester's Premiership successes during the late 2000s, helping secure titles in the season (defeating 25–9 in the final), the 2008–09 season (edging 10–9), and the 2009–10 season (overcoming Saracens 33–27). His experience and work rate in the were instrumental in these campaigns, contributing to the Tigers' record of sustained excellence and multiple final appearances amid intense rivalry with teams like Wasps and .

Retirement from Club Rugby

Ben Kay announced on 15 May 2010 that the 2009–10 season would mark the end of his playing career with , following 11 years at the club. This decision came amid a strong campaign where Kay featured in 22 matches, providing leadership in the second row as the Tigers pursued domestic honors. The season's highlights for Kay included key contributions to Leicester's run to the Guinness Premiership final, where they faced Saracens on 30 May 2010 at . In a closely contested match, the Tigers rallied from multiple deficits to secure a 33–27 , clinching their eighth Premiership title. Kay started in the second row and played a pivotal role in the forward pack's dominance, later lifting the trophy in his final professional appearance after nearly 300 games for the club. At age 34, Kay's was influenced by the physical demands of a prolonged at the elite level, including the cumulative toll from years of intense competition, though he noted his body remained capable of continuing. Leicester's decision not to renew his contract after the title win provided the catalyst, allowing Kay to view the championship as a fitting culmination to his club journey marked by consistent excellence and multiple trophies.

International Career

England National Team

Ben Kay made his debut for the on 2 June 2001, starting in a 22–10 victory against in . Over the course of his international career from 2001 to 2009, he earned 62 caps, all as a the second row, and scored a total of 10 points through two tries. His final appearance came as a replacement in the 24–22 defeat to on 13 June 2009 in . Kay was a pivotal figure in England's successful campaigns, serving as a reliable presence in the second row alongside captain Martin Johnson. In the 2003 tournament, which England won, he played every minute of the key matches leading to the final, starting in the 20–17 victory over in and contributing to the team's lineout dominance and forward solidity. Four years later, in the 2007 where England finished as runners-up, Kay was the only player to feature in every minute of all seven matches, starting the 15–6 final loss to in and again anchoring the set-piece efforts. His consistent selection reflected his importance during England's dominant period in the early 2000s, initially under head coach , who led the team to the 2003 World Cup triumph, and later under successors and Brian Ashton, who guided the squad to the 2007 final. Kay's strong performances at club level with bolstered his international standing, making him a mainstay in the squad through this golden era.

British & Irish Lions Tour

Ben Kay was selected for the 2005 tour to by head coach Sir , joining a squad that included several players from England's victorious team, though the tour occurred amid the host nation's post-World Cup decline in form. During the tour, Kay earned two Test caps without scoring any points, making his Lions debut in the international fixtures against . He started in the first Test match in on 25 June 2005, partnering Danny Grewcock in the second row as the Lions suffered a 21-3 defeat to the All Blacks, marking the beginning of a 3-0 series . Kay did not feature in the subsequent Tests, with the tour ultimately remembered for its organizational challenges and poor results rather than individual standout performances.

Post-Playing Career

Broadcasting Roles

Following his retirement from professional rugby in 2010, Ben Kay transitioned into broadcasting by joining as a commentator, covering the Aviva Premiership alongside former teammate . This move marked the beginning of his media career, leveraging his 62 caps and World Cup-winning experience to provide expert insights. In 2013, Kay expanded his role by joining BT Sport's rugby team as an analyst, contributing to coverage of the Premiership, Six Nations, and other international matches. His work there included studio analysis and co-commentary, often highlighting tactical elements from his perspective as a former second-row forward. Kay's articulate style, informed by over a decade in elite forward packs, emphasizes set-piece strategies and physical confrontations, earning praise for its depth and accessibility. As of 2025, Kay remains active in broadcasting, serving as a lead analyst for TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) on Premiership and European competitions, while also contributing to ITV's Six Nations coverage and radio punditry.

Administrative Positions

Following his retirement from professional rugby in 2010, Ben Kay was appointed as a on the board of in September 2014. His extensive experience as a player for the club—spanning 281 appearances from 1999 to 2010, during which he contributed to six Premiership titles and two Cups—positioned him to bring deep insights into the professional game's demands to the governance role. This appointment leveraged his long-standing clubmanship to inform board-level perspectives on rugby operations. Kay served in this capacity for seven years, until August 2021, during a period marked by significant club challenges, including a formal sale process initiated in 2019 and the impacts of the on English rugby. During his tenure, the board underwent a refresh in that appointed new non-executive directors with and expertise to support long-term recovery and infrastructure developments like the Welford Road hotel and car park expansions. These efforts focused on returning the club to competitive prominence in English and European rugby amid performance dips and ownership transitions. Upon departing the board, Kay was thanked for his service during his seven-year tenure. In 2013, Kay was appointed as a of Restart, the official charity of the Rugby Players' Association (RPA), replacing . In this role, he supported initiatives providing financial, practical, and emotional assistance to professional rugby players who retired early due to injury or illness, including access to medical treatment, , and career transition services. He served until June 2023.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Ben Kay married his long-time girlfriend, , a physiotherapist, in 2002. The couple welcomed two children during Kay's professional playing career, with their first child, a named , born earlier in 2007, shortly before the , and their second child, a son named Walter, born before May 2009. Kay's provided crucial support throughout his rugby travels, often accompanying him to major tournaments such as the 2007 World Cup in , where Virginia and their child joined him at the team hotel in . Following his from club rugby in 2010, Kay has emphasized the importance of in his post-playing life, crediting his wife and children for their unwavering support during and after his career.

Interests and Tributes

Ben Kay is a lifelong supporter of , having been born in the city and maintaining a strong affinity for the club throughout his life. During the 2005 tour, he was described as a "fanatical Liverpool fan," particularly focused on the team's Champions League campaign against . Kay has paid lasting tribute to his former teacher and coach, Ian "Robbo" Robinson, who played a pivotal role in his early rugby development at Merchant Taylors' School in Crosby, where Kay was coached by Robinson from age seven to eighteen. Robinson, a former player for Liverpool St Helens, provided extra training sessions, organized trips such as a tour to , and built strong rapport with students beyond athletics. In 2007, Robinson, then 47, tragically died during a white-water rafting accident on the Tully River in , , while chaperoning a school trip; his foot became trapped in rocks after the raft capsized. Kay credited Robinson's guidance as essential to his career, stating, "I certainly do not think I would have reached the level I did without his support," and described him as "just a really good guy to be around." Beyond rugby, Kay has engaged in charitable causes reflecting his commitment to community support, including joining the board of trustees for Restart Rugby, the Rugby Players' Association's charity focused on player welfare and development, in a move announced in recent years. He has also supported initiatives aiding children of fallen servicemen and women, such as backing Scotty’s Little Soldiers' charity efforts in 2012, and participated in volunteering for BT Sport's The Supporters' Club to assist disabled children at riding schools in 2014. Additionally, Kay has contributed to dementia prevention research by enrolling in an Alzheimer's Society-funded study in 2021, drawing from his experiences in contact sports.

References

  1. https://www.leicestertigers.com/player/ben-kay-legendary
  2. https://www.lionsrugby.com/en/teams/mens-team/ben-kay-BK949519
  3. https://www.instagram.com/benkayrugby/
  4. https://www.leicestertigers.com/player/ben-kay
  5. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/get_involved/4202208.stm
  6. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sir-john-kay-550138.html
  7. https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ben-kay/
  8. https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/lady-justice-yip/
  9. https://www.judiciary.uk/appointments-and-retirements/appointment-of-lord-and-lady-justices-of-appeal-3/
  10. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ben-kay-mbe-3289181b
  11. https://www.merchanttaylors.com/senior-boys-news/merchant-taylors-leads-the-pack-with-new-rugby-headguards-plan/
  12. https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/loughborough-sport/hall-of-fame/
  13. https://www.csaspeakersindia.in/our-speakers/profile/ben_kay
  14. https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/lessons-from-a-life-in-sport-ben-kay-mg8x0tc5n
  15. https://www.riversideentertainments.co.uk/acts/ben-kay-mbe/
  16. https://www.gordonpoole.com/talent/ben-kay-mbe/
  17. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/22?Stagione=1998%2F99
  18. https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-honours-ben-kay-596.html
  19. https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/last-season-with-tigers-for-lock-kay-2010-05-15
  20. https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/15296863/ben-kay-join-espn-announcing-retirement
  21. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/31/leicester-saracens-premiership-final-report
  22. https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/leicester-players-celebrate-victory-as-ben-kay-holds-the-news-photo/101258987
  23. https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/15297241/the-ben-kay-qa
  24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/8730253.stm
  25. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jun/09/ben-kay-leicester-tigers-television
  26. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby/england/ben-kay-2918/international-rugby-caps-for-england_a03484/
  27. https://www.speakerscorner.co.uk/after-dinner-speakers/ben-kay
  28. https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/18564382/the-2005-tour-new-zealand-threatened-british-irish-lions-existence
  29. https://africa.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/15328354/bt-announces-new-rugby-line-up
  30. https://www.look-whos-talking.co.uk/speakers/ben-kay/
  31. https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/ben-kay-i-get-the-feeling-aussie-pundits-have-no-idea-how-much-the-game-has-changed-in-the-northern-hemisphere/
  32. https://www.isportconnect.com/ben-kay-joins-leicester-tigers-board-of-directors/
  33. https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/club-statement-210614
  34. https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/leicester-tigers-refreshes-board-of-directors
  35. https://www.rugby15.co.za/ben-kay-joins-restart-rugby-charity/
  36. https://www.ruck.co.uk/heres-who-the-2003-world-cup-heroes-settled-down-with/3/
  37. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3634323/Rugby-World-Cup-Where-are-the-Scrummies.html
  38. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/come-tomorrow-evening-they-may-be-national-heroes-but-who-exactly-are-these-unlikely-lads-395035.html
  39. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/16/ben-kay-leicester-premiership-grand-final
  40. https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/england-player-ben-kay-wife-virginia-child-702370b
  41. https://x.com/ben_kay8/status/1705197277881438348
  42. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/every-game-is-a-huge-test-for-tourists/25ZHSDF733KFAVGZ5CSR36ZJGA/
  43. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/raft-tragedy-teacher-turned-rugby-3505103
  44. https://www.speakerscorner.co.uk/blog/ben-kay-supports-worthy-charity
  45. https://www.the-independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/former-england-lock-and-world-cup-winner-ben-kay-lends-a-helping-hand-to-encourage-public-to-volunteer-in-the-local-community-this-christmas-9890534.html
  46. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/2021-04-26/rugby-legends-join-large-dementia-prevention-study-funded-alzheimers-society
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