In-form Ben White is relishing the opportunity he has been given by Gregor Townsend to establish himself as the first-choice Scotland scrum-half. 

The 24-year-old London Irish halfback only made his international debut a year ago, but he has ousted the more senior Ali Price from the No. 9 jersey for each of the Scots’ three Guinness Six Nations matches this year.

After scoring a try in the victory away to England, White also shined in the home win over Wales and in Sunday’s spirited showing in a 32-21 loss to France in Paris. 

Highlights from a bonus-point win at home 🏟️#AsOne pic.twitter.com/RXdvTB9REv

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 12, 2023

“It has been a huge honor to get to pull on the nine jersey for Scotland in the first three games,” White said. “I thank Gregor a lot for the trust he has shown in me, and I hope I can repay that.

“I love being out there, I love every minute of it. It’s amazing. You have to pinch yourself sometimes when you are out there on the pitch. I just want to keep improving my game and keep moving forward every week.”

Until this year, Price had been a mainstay of Townsend’s Scotland starting XV. White is enjoying the challenge of trying to keep his place on the team. 

“There is always competition,” White said. “We have three very good nines, and that is what it is at this level.

“You always have good players around and pushing you on, and you have to be at the top of your game every week to keep the shirt. Having that competition is only going to drive us on to be better as individuals, and then collectively as a team, so it’s good having that competition in training, knowing you have to be on your game. I love the challenge. I love the competition.”

White is encouraged by Scotland’s performance against France on Sunday when they roared back from 19-0 down to get to 25-21, before the hosts killed off their hopes of a famous win with a late try. 

“I thought we showed a lot of courage to come back from being 19-0 down and give ourselves a chance to win at the end,” he said. “I’m really proud of the performance in terms of how we stayed together as a group after the early red card.

A behind-the-scenes look at Sunday's clash in Paris 📺#AsOne pic.twitter.com/8KBIqeLS7d

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 28, 2023

“It could have gone completely the other way but we dug our heels in and grew back into the game. I thought we played some really good rugby. I felt France was there for the taking in the second half. We had them on the ropes, but we just weren’t able to capitalize on that opportunity, which is frustrating, but it’s also good to know we missed chances to take the game against a side ranked No. 2 in the world. It shows we are there and thereabouts.”

The Scots are second in the Six Nations table, five points behind Ireland, a team they’ll host in their next match. Victory in that would secure the Scots a first Triple Crown since 1990. 

“We have a lot of belief that we can win the championship,” White said. “Being back at Murrayfield with our fans behind us is something we are really excited about, and the challenge of playing Ireland for the Triple Crown is awesome. We are a good team, and we are confident in our ability, so we’re really excited.”