Ben Kay (born 14 December 1975) is a English international rugby union footballer who plays lock forward for Leicester Tigers and England.
Kay was born in Liverpool, the son of High Court Judge Sir John William Kay (1943 — 2004), which later earned him the nickname "M'lud". He played for Waterloo in the city.
He joined Leicester Tigers in 1999 and first played during the world cup, with Tiger's normal locks Martin Johnson and Fritz van Heerden away with England and South Africa respectively. With the help of Johnson and van Heerden, he developed his game becoming a highly-rated middle line-out jumper, like van Heerden.
He made his England debut against Canada on 2 June 2001 during the summer tour that coincided with the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. He displaced Danny Grewcock from the England side.
During the 2003 World Cup final against Australia, Kay knocked-on (dropped the ball forwards) in a try-scorign position. Fortunately England won regardless.