Born in Brisbane, Ben represented the Australian National Academy in the 2013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup and reached consecutive Premier Grade semi-finals in 2012 and 2013, an honour he shared with his brother.
The towering lock signed a one-year deal in the Scottish capital, and is eligible to represent Scotland as his mother, Linda, is from Carluke in Lanarkshire.
After coming through the club’s Elite Development Programme, he made his debut from the bench away to Ulster in November 2013, before making his first start for the club against Zebre in April 2014.
Toolis saw significantly more game time during his second full season with the club, featuring in 23 total fixtures, while the lock scored his first try for the club in the European Challenge Cup Semi-Final final win over Dragons in April 2015.
The lock’s club form soon saw him pick up international accolades and after being named in the Scotland squad ahead of the 2015 Six Nations, he made his full international debut from the bench against Italy in March 2015.
Toolis made his 50th appearance for the club in the 11-try 36-35 European Challenge Cup win over Harlequins at BT Murrayfield in October 2016, while he continued to see game time on the international stage.
The lock started as Scotland secured a famous 19-24 win over Australia in Sydney on the 2017 Summer Tour before featuring in Six Nations matches against Wales and France the following year.
Following a stellar 2017/18 campaign, Toolis penned a new two-year deal with the club, while he made his 100th Edinburgh Rugby appearance against Glasgow Warriors in December 2018.
The lock has forged a solid second-row partnership with Scotland teammate Grant Gilchrist in recent years and has since committed his immediate future to Edinburgh.
The 22-times capped lock (as of January 2020) has so far made 119 appearances for the club and last season (2019) became the capital side’s 32nd centurion.
Toolis was included in Scotland’s 2020 Six Nations squad.
As of June 2020, he has made 119 appearances for Edinburgh and has scored 20 points.
(LS June 29, 2020)
Career
 |
Kintetsu Liners No 4 Lock |
2022 - present |
 |
London Irish No 4 Lock |
2014 - 2014 |
 |
Scotland No 4 Lock |
2015 - 2020 |
 |
Edinburgh Rugby No 4 Lock |
2013 - 2022 |
 |
Marist College Ashgrove No 5 Lock |
