Ben J. Russell

Benjamin John Russell was born 9th July 1984 in Guildford, England. Ben started playing mini rugby at the grand old age of five after his father a keen rugby player himself took him down to the local club, Oundle.

Even as a five year old Ben demonstrated exceptional skill and ability and obviously had a natural talent for the sport.

Ben was first coached by Andy Curtis then later by Terry Roach, Dave Cooke and his father Nigel Russell who coached Ben’s team from Under 8’s right through to cults. Coaching them to two Mobs memorial trophy finals in 1991 and 1993.

In 1999 Ben aged 15 went on to play for the Northampton saints academy, then coached by Brett Taylor.

In 2000 16 year old Ben first represented England at Under 18 level, a year later he went on to represent England again this time at Under 19 level, captioning them in 2002. That same year Ben made his fist full England debut playing in the World Cup seven’s tournament in South Africa.

Ben signed his first professional contract with Saints in 2001 aged just 17, this making Ben at the time the youngest player in the Zurich Premiership.

Ben played for two further seasons for Saints coached by James Sinclair and Wane Smith (All Blacks backs Coach 2007- Present) before still aged just 19 signing for Saracens in 2003.

After two years at Saracens Ben moved to Coventry where in 2006 aged 22 he became Captain.