Pan Macmillan is set to publish emotional and exciting autobiography from Ben Youngs, England's most-capped men's rugby player of all time Beyond the Line: My Life in Rugby
Former Pan Macmillan Commissioning Editor, Ause Abdelhaq, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Nick Walters at David Luxton Associates in collaboration with Ben Lewitt at Owl Sporting Group in a competitive auction. The memoir will be published in hardback, e-book and audio in September 2025. The audiobook will also be read by the author.
World Cups. Lions Tours. Playing alongside and under some of the biggest names in rugby, including his own brother. Ben Youngs has done it all and seen it all, so is in a unique position to tell the definitive story of the past fifteen years of English rugby through his own journey. His autobiography will be bursting with stories from his England and Leicester days, such as that remarkable eighteen-match unbeaten streak under Eddie Jones, when Ben was the first choice number 9. But this book is so much more than just another rugby story.
World Cups. Lions Tours. Playing alongside and under some of the biggest names in rugby, including his own brother. Ben Youngs has done it all and seen it all, so is in a unique position to tell the definitive story of the past fifteen years of English rugby through his own journey. His autobiography will be bursting with stories from his England and Leicester days, such as that remarkable eighteen-match unbeaten streak under Eddie Jones, when Ben was the first choice number 9. But this book is so much more than just another rugby story.
Beyond the Line captures Ben’s warm and engaging character, but also reveals in stark honesty the dark times he went through, particularly when his family was ripped apart by the deaths of both his sister-in-law and his brother-in-law. For the first time, Ben will talk candidly about how he overcame those difficulties with the help of the national team’s psychologist. At the heart of this story lies an unbreakable brotherly bond. No other player has a tale like it.
Publication will be accompanied by a national tour, with the player appearing at signings and events across the UK.
Ben Youngs said:
"As I approach the last few games of my rugby career, it has been so rewarding to reflect back on it and tell my story in this book. I’ve tried to give readers an honest insight into my life as well as the rugby environments I have experienced and the characters I’ve shared it with. The team at Pan Macmillan have been great to work with and I’m looking forward so much to seeing the finished product."
Ause Abdelhaq, former commissioning editor at Pan Macmillan, comments:
"Ben is one of English rugby's all-time greatest servants. He is a singular man - incredibly downto-earth, hard-working and hugely funny. I'm honoured that I got the chance to work so closely with him, and to edit his remarkable memoir."
Ben Youngs is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum half for the Premiership rugby club Leicester Tigers and is the all-time appearance record-holder for the England national team. He made his club debut at seventeen in 2007 and his debut for England in 2010. In 2022, he became England men’s most capped player, with 115 appearances, subsequently earning 127 in total. He started the 2019 Rugby World Cup final and toured Australia with the Lions in 2013. Youngs has been a Premiership rugby champion five times, winning in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2022.