Ben Christopher Cohen has established himself as one of the great left wings in world rugby, culminating in his 2003 Rugby World Cup performances - he started in all but one of England’s games. In full flight his 16 stones take some stopping, as Ireland found out in 2000 when he ran in two tries on his international debut. He went on to become the
joint leading Six Nations try scorer in that season along with Austin Healey and Brian O’Driscoll. He took up the game aged 12 at Northampton Old Scouts after reading a school notice board call up and he’s still in contact with the coach who taught him at his junior club. He became contracted to Northampton and joined their Academy in 2000 where he came under the influence of the club’s then Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan. The following year he was drafted into the Lions squad scoring twice in the match against New South Wales Country Cockatoos at Coffs Harbour.

He played in all of England’s matches in the 2002/3 season, scoring a spectacular try against the All Blacks and twice against the Australians during the Investec Challenge series at Twickenham. One of his most memorable tries was scored against Australia in June 2003 as England swept aside the host nation 25-14 to complete their southern
hemisphere tour unbeaten. In the 2004 RBS 6 Nations Ben was named man of the match against Wales for his two tries. He was educated at Kingsthorpe Upper School, Northampton.