Ben White Urges Scotland to Take Ownership as Six Nations Ambitions Grow

Scotland’s Ben White Rallies the Squad for Six Nations Glory

Ben White isn’t one for standing in the background. As Scotland’s scrum-half gears up for the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, he’s calling for his teammates to step up—not just on game day, but every single day. White, at just 20, already shows maturity beyond his years, having debuted at senior level in this very tournament and quickly cemented himself as a key player in the lineup alongside co-captain Finn Russell.

White’s message is loud and clear: leadership doesn’t belong to just those with the armband. “We have to have ownership,” he says, pointing out that while established names like Russell and flanker Rory Darge set the tone, true success depends on everyone pulling their weight. Scotland’s recent win over Italy gave a glimpse of what happens when the whole squad leans in; White’s rapid decision-making under pressure and sharp distribution kept the Italians on the back foot and showed just why he’s seen as such a talent.

Depth, Unity, and Home Advantage: The Ingredients for a Scottish Surge

White’s rise from the local clubs—Biggar RFC and Melrose RFC—to the international stage is a story that’s familiar to Scottish fans. The country’s drive to develop young talent paid off when he was awarded the MacPhail Scholarship, sending him to South Africa to fine-tune his game. That investment is now paying dividends, as White becomes a lynchpin connecting Scotland’s forwards and backs, from bruising lock Jonny Gray and powerhouse prop Zander Fagerson to the dynamic Jamie Ritchie.

The squad, though, isn’t resting on its established stars. Teammate Huw Jones, back from injury, backs White’s push for collective responsibility and points to the deep sense of unity and adaptability that’s been building within the squad. Being able to adjust on the fly—whether due to injuries or shifting tactics—has become a hallmark for Scotland, and it’s something that could tip the scales in their favor come tournament time.

Expectations are riding high, especially with the home crowd behind them. The team’s been open about its intent to make Murrayfield a fortress and to draw extra energy from home fixtures. Building on the wave of success from their U20 squad, who recently lifted the World Rugby U20 Trophy, the senior team is determined not to squander those green shoots.

Turning attacking chances into points remains the big focus. With finishers like Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe, and the ever-steady Stafford McDowall in the backline, the Scots have no shortage of firepower. What White and the coaching staff want is consistency—no more missed opportunities, no more lapses late in the game.

Set-piece dominance is another area getting attention. With Gray, Fagerson, and Ritchie anchoring the pack, Scotland’s forwards are expected to give them a solid platform to attack from. White’s ability to read the game and link play—from the base of the scrum or at lightning-quick rucks—is becoming crucial to the Scottish game plan.

In a competition as tough and unpredictable as the Six Nations, there’s no single blueprint for success. But Scotland’s blend of fresh talent, hard-earned experience, and a newfound sense of leadership on and off the field may just be what gets them over the line this year.