Ben White becomes the eighth Scot in the Lions squad Toulon scrum-half Ben White admits "I haven't stopped shaking" after beingcalled up as an injury replacementfor the British and Irish Lions just as he was preparing to play for Scotland on Saturday. The 27-year-old got the call from Lions head coach Andy Farrell after Wales' Tomos Williams was forced off the field with a hamstring injury after scoring a try in the 54-7 win over Western Force in Perth on Saturday. White was given the news at the Scotland training camp in Whangarei, New Zealand, where he was preparing to face the Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa this summer. "It's pretty crazy," he told Scottish Rugby. "I don't think it's quite sunk in yet to be honest. "He called me this morning - about an hour ago - and I just haven't stopped shaking since. It's an incredible honour. I'm really excited." White admitted that it "was tough" to watch the original Lions squad be announced as he missed out on selection. "But it was an experience that I can put in the locker," he said. "I just knew I had to just do what I could and try to play well for my club, Toulon. "I was really excited to be on tour with Scotland, and to play for Scotland's amazing, and I was focused on that. "I guess that someone's looking out for me upstairs. It's falling on my feet." White "straight away" phoned his parents to deliver the news. "I don't think they could quite believe it," he said. "They were obviously just incredibly proud. It was a great phone call to have. "It's something you dream of but you never really think you'll do." White brings Scotland's Lions representation in the 38-strong squad back up to eight after forward Zander Fagerson was forced to withdraw through injury. "Obviously there's there's a fair few Scottish boys in the squad and it'll be great to see those boys as well as also meeting the players that I don't know too well," he said. Two minutes after Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend passed on his congratulations, White was told he was booked on a noon flight to Australia. Townsend now has to prepare for Saturday's meeting with the Maori All Blacks without his 25-times capped first-choice scrum-half. "It was an honour to be called up to play for Scotland and to be here in New Zealand was amazing and I was really looking forward to three big test matches," White added. "But the squad that we have here is amazing and I know that they'll they're going to go well against the Maori at the weekend. It's going to be a great game for us and I think we've trained really well, so it'll be exciting to see how we go and I'll be watching for sure."
White 'hasn't stopped shaking' after late Lions call-up
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"Ben White Receives Late Call-Up to British and Irish Lions Squad"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Ben White, the Toulon scrum-half, has expressed his excitement and disbelief after receiving a late call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad as an injury replacement. The 27-year-old was preparing to play for Scotland when he learned that he would be stepping in for Wales' Tomos Williams, who sustained a hamstring injury during a match against Western Force. Speaking from the Scotland training camp in Whangarei, New Zealand, White shared, "I haven't stopped shaking" since receiving the news from Lions head coach Andy Farrell. He described the moment as surreal, acknowledging that it has not fully sunk in yet and expressing his gratitude for the opportunity. White had previously missed out on selection for the original Lions squad, which he found difficult to watch, but he remained focused on performing well for his club and contributing to Scotland's upcoming matches against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji, and Samoa this summer.
White's call-up marks a significant moment for Scottish rugby, as he becomes the eighth Scot included in the Lions squad after Zander Fagerson withdrew due to injury. The excitement of being selected led him to immediately inform his parents, who were understandably proud and astonished by the news. He emphasized the camaraderie he looks forward to experiencing with both familiar teammates and new players in the Lions setup. Although he is thrilled about joining the Lions, White also expressed his disappointment at having to leave the Scotland camp, where he was eager to compete in three crucial test matches. He remains optimistic about Scotland's prospects against the Maori All Blacks and plans to cheer on his teammates from Australia, reflecting on the journey that has led him to this prestigious opportunity in rugby.
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