G
getofmeland
Guest
Martin ‘Johnno’ Johnson, one of the greatest icons over the last decade in Northern Hemisphere Rugby, he was classed this before he lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup aloft in Sydney on 22nd November 2003. Martin Johnson gained this unique position in the world of rugby, after being the only man ever to captain the Lions on two separate tours, to South Africa in 1997 and Australia 2001.
England’s World Cup triumph over Australia in Sydney, made Johnno the first player from the Northern Hemisphere side to captain his team to a World Cup triumph, this also meant he was the first Englishman do be able to complete the feat. Johnno also helped lead England to their first Grand Slam victory in the 2003 Six Nations Championship; in fact this was England’s first Grand Slam since 1995 and the expansion of the competition.
Martin’s international career has spanned over 17 years, with his career starting when he played for the England 18-Group in 1987, but had to wait until 1992 till he was selected in the England B and Barbarians Squads. He finally made his England debut in 1993 as an “eleventh hour†replacement for Wade Dooley, he then went on to make numerous England A Internationals and toured NZ with the Lions, in the same year.
Johnno is one only a few players who has been involved in all 10 Five/Six Nations tournaments since his debut in 1994 and his retirement in 2003. He has also been involved in a total of 3 Lions Tours, captaining two of them. Martin also played a part in 3 World Cups in 1995, 1999, when he took over the captaincy and finally in 2003.
Apart from his international career Martin, had enjoyed success with Leicester Tigers, becoming the Premiership Player of the Season in 98/99, and after being appointed in ’97, he has led his side to a Pilkington Cup victory, four successive Premiership ***les from 1999 â€" 2002 as well as the first Zurich Championship in 2001 and back to back European Heineken Cup triumphs in 2001 and 2002.
Martin was also Leicester’s longest ever serving captain and became the 33rd player to have played 300 appearances for the club. Martin is now the proud owner of an MBE and a CBE, which he received for his services to Rugby.
I am sure most of you will agree that Martin “Johnno†Johnson deserves a place in the TRF Hall of Fame.
England’s World Cup triumph over Australia in Sydney, made Johnno the first player from the Northern Hemisphere side to captain his team to a World Cup triumph, this also meant he was the first Englishman do be able to complete the feat. Johnno also helped lead England to their first Grand Slam victory in the 2003 Six Nations Championship; in fact this was England’s first Grand Slam since 1995 and the expansion of the competition.
Martin’s international career has spanned over 17 years, with his career starting when he played for the England 18-Group in 1987, but had to wait until 1992 till he was selected in the England B and Barbarians Squads. He finally made his England debut in 1993 as an “eleventh hour†replacement for Wade Dooley, he then went on to make numerous England A Internationals and toured NZ with the Lions, in the same year.
Johnno is one only a few players who has been involved in all 10 Five/Six Nations tournaments since his debut in 1994 and his retirement in 2003. He has also been involved in a total of 3 Lions Tours, captaining two of them. Martin also played a part in 3 World Cups in 1995, 1999, when he took over the captaincy and finally in 2003.
Apart from his international career Martin, had enjoyed success with Leicester Tigers, becoming the Premiership Player of the Season in 98/99, and after being appointed in ’97, he has led his side to a Pilkington Cup victory, four successive Premiership ***les from 1999 â€" 2002 as well as the first Zurich Championship in 2001 and back to back European Heineken Cup triumphs in 2001 and 2002.
Martin was also Leicester’s longest ever serving captain and became the 33rd player to have played 300 appearances for the club. Martin is now the proud owner of an MBE and a CBE, which he received for his services to Rugby.
I am sure most of you will agree that Martin “Johnno†Johnson deserves a place in the TRF Hall of Fame.
