Ben Spencer (rugby union)

Summary

Benjamin Thomas Spencer (born 31 July 1992) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Premiership Rugby club Bath and the England national team.

Ben Spencer
Full nameBenjamin Thomas Spencer
Date of birth (1992-07-31) 31 July 1992 (age 31)
Place of birthStockport, England
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb; 13 st 8 lb)
SchoolBramhall High School
Ivybridge Community College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Current team Bath
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2011 Cambridge 29 (150)
2011–2020 Saracens 172 (542)
2020– Bath 90 (324)
Correct as of 1 April 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012 England U20 6 (0)
2012 England Saxons 2 (5)
2019– England 4 (0)
Correct as of 19 January 2024

Club career edit

Spencer represented Cambridge during the 2010–11 National League 1 season. In August 2011, after impressing during a pre-season trial, Spencer signed for Saracens.[1] In March 2015, Spencer kicked a last-minute penalty as Saracens defeated Exeter Chiefs 23-20 in the final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[2] In May 2016, Spencer was a second-half substitute for Richard Wigglesworth as Sarries defeated Racing 92 to win the European Rugby Champions Cup for the first time.[3] The following season, Spencer was again a used replacement as Saracens defeated ASM Clermont Auvergne to retain their European title.[4] He was Saracens' top try scorer in the 2017/18 season.[5] He scored a penalty as Saracens beat Exeter 27-10 in the Premiership final in 2018, and then the following year scored a try as Saracens retained the Premiership title.[6][7] Spencer won his third European Rugby Champions Cup, this time starting the final, as Saracens defeated Leinster.[8]

He joined Bath in a three-year deal ahead of recommencement of the 2019–20 season.[9]

International career edit

Spencer was a member of the England under-20 squad that competed at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa.[10] In January 2012, Spencer scored a try on his debut for the England Saxons in a victory against Ireland Wolfhounds.[11]

On 27 October 2019 he was called up to England's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup as an injury replacement for Willi Heinz.[12]

Honours edit

Saracens
England

References edit

  1. ^ "Ben Spencer signs for Saracens". Premiership Rugby. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  2. ^ "LV= Cup final: Saracens 23-20 Exeter Chiefs". BBC Sport. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Saracens beat Racing 92 to win first European Champions Cup". BBC Sport. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  4. ^ "European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17 to retain European title". BBC Sport. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  5. ^ https://www.saracens.com/news-article/spencer-ends-season-as-sarries-top-premiership-try-scorer [dead link]
  6. ^ "Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 10-27 Saracens". BBC. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 34-37 Saracens". BBC. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Leinster 10-20 Saracens: English side win third Champions Cup in Newcastle". BBC. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Ben Spencer to join Bath Rugby on long-term deal". Bath Rugby. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  10. ^ "IRB Junior World Championship 2012, Match 27". World Rugby. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Spencer delighted with "dream" debut". ESPN Scrum. 29 January 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  12. ^ "England call up Ben Spencer to replace Willi Heinz in World Cup final squad". BBC. 27 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.

External links edit