Some captains lead with speeches. Martin Johnson led with a look and a refusal to take a backward step. The towering Leicester lock was the heartbeat of English rugby, and in 2003 he lifted the Rugby World Cup.
From rural New Zealand to two Lions tours as skipper, his story is one every fan should know. If he's your hero too, browse our Rugby Union collection.
Martin Johnson Fact File
| Full name | Martin Osborne Johnson |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 March 1970 (age 56) |
| Place of birth | Shirley, Solihull, England |
| Height | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Lock |
| Nationality | English |
| Current status | Retired (playing 2005, England manager until 2011) |
| Teams | Leicester Tigers, King Country, England, British & Irish Lions |
| Nickname | Johnno |
Career History
| Years | Team | Apps | Notes/Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–2005 | Leicester Tigers | 362 | Captain from 1997; 5 league titles, 2 Heineken Cups |
| 1989–1990 | King Country (NZ) | 25 | Also won New Zealand U21 honours |
| 1993–2003 | England | 84 caps | Captain from 1999; 2003 World Cup, Grand Slams 1995 and 2003 |
| 1993–2001 | British & Irish Lions | 8 caps | Three tours; captain in 1997 and 2001 |
Club figures are all competitive first-team appearances (Wikipedia lists 362, while Leicester's own records give 361). England and Lions figures are Test caps only.
Early Years and a New Zealand Education
Born in Solihull and raised near Market Harborough, Johnson made his Leicester debut against the RAF in February 1989. Yet his real education came on the other side of the world.
He played 25 games for King Country, the rugged provincial side made famous by Colin Meads, and was even picked for the New Zealand Under-21 side in 1990 before coming home to commit to England and the Tigers.
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Breakthrough: England and the Lions
His England debut came against France in January 1993, and that summer he toured New Zealand with the Lions. By 1995 he had a Grand Slam to his name, and in 1997 he was a surprise choice to captain the Lions in South Africa. Johnson's side won the series 2–1 against the world champions, and he was awarded an OBE.
Four years later he led the Lions again in Australia, becoming the first man to captain two Lions tours.
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2003: The Year of Johnno
Under his captaincy Leicester won four successive Premiership titles from 1999 to 2002 and became the first side to retain the Heineken Cup, in 2001 and 2002.
In 2003 England won the Grand Slam and travelled to Australia as favourites. In the final in Sydney, Johnson's 84th and last cap, Jonny Wilkinson's extra-time drop goal sealed a 20–17 win over the hosts. Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis Cup and was made a CBE in the 2004 New Year Honours.
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Later Career and Legacy
Johnson retired from international rugby after the World Cup and played his final club season in 2004–05, with a testimonial at Twickenham in June 2005. In 2008 he returned as England manager, guiding the side to the 2011 Six Nations title before stepping down in November 2011. That same year he was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame.
Honours
England
- Rugby World Cup: 2003 (captain)
- Grand Slam: 1995, 2003
- Six Nations: 2011 (as manager)
Leicester Tigers
- League titles: 1994–95, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02
- Heineken Cup: 2001, 2002
- Pilkington Cup: 1993, 1997
British & Irish Lions
- Series win in South Africa: 1997 (captain)
- Captain again in Australia, 2001
Individual
- OBE (1997) and CBE (2004)
- IRB Hall of Fame (2011)
Off the Pitch
Johnson published his autobiography in December 2003 and has worked as a BBC analyst, including at the 2018 Six Nations and the Super Bowl. He still shares his views on England, most recently ahead of the 2026 Six Nations. His younger brother Will also played more than 200 games for Leicester.
FAQs
How old is Martin Johnson?
Born on 9 March 1970, he is 56.
Where was Martin Johnson born?
He was born in Shirley, Solihull, England.
How tall is Martin Johnson?
He stands 2.01 m, or 6 ft 7 in.
What teams did Martin Johnson play for?
Leicester Tigers, King Country, England and the Lions.
How many caps did Martin Johnson win?
He won 84 caps for England between 1993 and 2003, plus 8 Test caps for the Lions.
Did Martin Johnson captain the Lions twice?
Yes. He led the Lions in South Africa in 1997 and in Australia in 2001, the first man to captain two Lions tours.
Shop the Martin Johnson Collection
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Jonny Wilkinson Career Story and Brian O'Driscoll Career Story.
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