Previously, he played in seven of Scotland's nine under-19 internationals in 2004, including three in the age group's world championship in Durban, South Africa, scoring a try in each of the matches against Italy and Japan. He made his under-21 international debut as a replacement in the narrow defeat by France in Bourgoin in February 2005. His first start was in the 16-8 win against Ireland at Falkirk a week later, and he remained in the XV for the three remaining games, scoring Scotland's try in the 19-17 win against England at Northampton. He went on to play in all five matches in the 2005 world championship in Mendoza, Argentina, scoring two tries in the 52-20 win against Canada. In the shadow six nations championship in 2006, as in the previous year's equivalent tournament, he played in all five of the Scots' games, and he subsequently appeared in four games in the world championship in France. Ben, who played for Caledonia district at three age levels (under-16, under-19, and under-19), is studying physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University.