to count in Afrikaans to crack the Springboks' line-out codes. During the final against Australia, Kay famously knocked-on (dropped the ball forwards) in a try-scoring position when a try would have almost certainly meant an England win. England won regardless, partly as a result of Tigers' teammate Lewis Moody winning a line-out Kay himself had called. Sir Clive Woodward selected him for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. Kay came off the bench against Argentina in an official Test prior to the tour. Kay started in the first Test of the series. He was the only player to play every minute of England's 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign culminating in their narrow loss in the Final. He was one of only four players to have started both the 2003 and 2007 RWC Finals, the other three being Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson and Phil Vickery. Kay helped Leicester win the Premiership in 2007, starting the final as they defeated Gloucester. He was a used replacement in every game of the 2008 Six Nations. Kay started both the 2008–09 Heineken Cup final and the Guinness Premiership win the same season. The Tigers won back-to-back Premiership titles the following season, in the 2009–10 Guinness Premiership, by beating Saracens 33–27 at Twickenham, though Kay did not feature in that game. He decided to retire at the end of the 2009–10 season after 11 years with Leicester Tigers. He has since worked as a commentator for ESPN and BT Sport. He also served as non-executive director on Leicester Tigers' board of directors between 2014 and 2021. Personal life Kay is a supporter of Liverpool FC. In 2002, Kay married long-time girlfriend Virginia, a physiotherapist, and they have two children. His long time Leicester Tigers and England teammate Martin Johnson was an usher at his wedding. Kay paid his respects to his former sports teacher at Merchant Taylors, Ian 'Robbo' Robinson, who died in a white water rafting incident whilst on a rugby tour with the school. References External links Tigers profile England profile Profile & Career Statistics at ESPNscrum Ben Kay photo 1 by sportingheroes.net Ben Kay photo 2 by sportingheroes.net 1975 births Living people Alumni of Loughborough University British & Irish Lions rugby union players from England England international rugby union players English rugby union players Leicester Tigers players Loughborough Students RUFC players Members of the Order of the British