Martin Johnson (rugby union) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Martin Johnson
CBE

Johnson in 2015

Birth name

Martin Osborne Johnson

Date of birth

9 March 1970 (age 55)

Place of birth

Solihull, Warwickshire, England

Height

6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)

Weight

18 st 9 lb (119 kg)

Notable relative(s)

Will Johnson (brother)

Rugby union career

Senior career
Position(s)	Lock
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
1989–2005	Leicester Tigers	362	(90)
1989–1990	King Country	25	(0)
1992	Barbarians	1	(0)
National team(s)
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
1987–1988	England U18s	8	(0)
1990	New Zealand U21s	3	(0)
1991	England U21s	1	(0)
1992–2000	England 'A'/'B'	9	(4)
1993–2003	England	84	(10)
1993, 1997, 2001	British & Irish Lions	8	(0)
1994–1999	England XV	4	(0)
Teams coached
Years	Team
2008–2011	England

Martin Osborne Johnson CBE (born 9 March 1970) is a retired English rugby union player who is famous for leading England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He played as a lock, one of the tallest players on the field, for 16 seasons. Many people consider him one of the best locks and greatest English players of all time.

Johnson spent his entire senior club career, from 1989 to 2005, with the Leicester Tigers. He made his debut for England in 1993 and was quickly called up to play for the British & Irish Lions, a special team made of the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

He became the captain of England in 1999 and led the team in 39 matches. His biggest achievement was winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup, which was also his last game for England. With Leicester, he won five Premiership titles and two European Cups. After retiring as a player, he managed the England team from 2008 to 2011.

Early Life and Career
Playing Career
England Head Coach
Awards and Personal Life
Honours
- As a player
- As a manager
See also

Early Life and Career

Martin Johnson was born in Solihull, England. When he was seven, his family moved to Market Harborough in Leicestershire. As a teenager, he briefly played American football for the Leicester Panthers.

In 1989, a famous New Zealand player named Colin Meads invited him to play for the King Country team in New Zealand. Johnson played there for two seasons. He did so well that he was chosen for the New Zealand under-21 team in 1990.

Playing Career

1989–1993: Leicester Debut and First Trophies

Martin Johnson and Graham Rowntree.

Johnson made his first appearance for the Leicester Tigers on 14 February 1989. After his time in New Zealand, he became a regular player for the team. In the 1992–93 season, he helped Leicester win the Pilkington Cup, scoring a try in the final against Harlequins.

His big break for the national team came in 1993. He was a last-minute replacement for an injured player in a Five Nations match against France. Despite being nervous and getting a knock on the head early in the game, he played on as England won 16–15. That same year, he was called up to join the British Lions tour to New Zealand, playing in the final two test matches.

1994–1997: League Champion and Lions Captain

In the 1994–95 season, Johnson helped Leicester win their first league title. He was also a key player for England, helping them win the 1995 Five Nations Grand Slam, which means they beat every other team in the tournament. He played in every match for England at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where the team finished in fourth place.

In 1997, Johnson was given a huge honor when he was named captain of the British Lions tour to South Africa. He led the team to a famous 2–1 series victory against the Springboks, the world champions at the time. This tour made him a star and a respected leader in world rugby.

1997–2002: Dominating with Leicester

After the successful Lions tour, Johnson was made the official captain of Leicester. He led the club through its most successful period. Under his leadership, Leicester won four Premiership titles in a row from 1999 to 2002.

They also became champions of Europe. In 2001, Leicester won the Heineken Cup for the first time, beating Stade Francais in a thrilling final. The next year, they won it again, defeating Irish team Munster in the 2002 final. This made Leicester the first team ever to win the European Cup two years in a row.

2003: World Cup Glory

The year 2003 was the peak of Johnson's career. As England's captain, he first led the team to a Grand Slam in the 2003 Six Nations Championship. This built confidence for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia later that year.

England played brilliantly throughout the tournament. They defeated tough opponents like South Africa, Wales, and France to reach the final against the hosts, Australia. The final was an incredibly close and exciting match. It went into extra time, where England's Jonny Wilkinson kicked a last-minute drop goal to win the game 20–17. Lifting the World Cup trophy was Johnson's greatest moment, and it was the last time he ever played for England.

2003–2005: Final Seasons

Johnson continued to play for Leicester for two more seasons. He announced that the 2004–05 season would be his last. His final match was the 2005 Premiership Final, where Leicester lost to Wasps. He retired as one of the most decorated players in the sport's history.

England Head Coach

In 2008, Johnson was appointed as the manager of the England rugby team. He led the team to victory in the 2011 Six Nations Championship, which was England's first Six Nations title since he had won it as a player in 2003.

However, the team had a disappointing 2011 Rugby World Cup, and Johnson decided to step down from the role in November 2011. He has not taken another major coaching job since then.

Awards and Personal Life

For his services to rugby, Johnson was awarded an OBE in 1997 and a CBE in 2004 after the World Cup win. In 2011, he was added to the IRB Hall of Fame, a special honor for the greatest figures in rugby.

Johnson comes from a sporty family. His younger brother, Will, also played for Leicester. He is a fan of American football and supports the San Francisco 49ers. He has sometimes worked as a TV analyst for the Super Bowl and the Six Nations championship.