Born on this day- 16th July
Tom Johnson
- Position: Back-row
- DOB: 16/07/1982 (age 33)
- Current Club: Exeter Chiefs
- Previous clubs: Coventry, Reading, Chinnor
- Honours: England, England Saxons, Barbarians
A senior player now at Exeter Chiefs; Tom Johnson, when he made his full England debut in 2012, became the first full England international to come from the club since Martin Underwood in 1964. After playing all 44 matches in Exeter Chiefs’ first two Premiership campaigns he found his third season cut short due to a serious injury. Nevertheless, after working his way back to full fitness and regaining his place in the Chiefs’ side his form was rewarded as he was part of the England touring squad that headed down to South America in the summer of 2013.
Chris White
- Position: Referee
- DOB: 16/07/1963 (age 52)
- Honours: World Cup semi-final, Heineken Cup Final
Cheltenham born and bred International rugby referee Chris White was England’s highest rated official in the early 2000’s, taking charge of the 2003 World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and Australia. He also took charge of three Heineken Cup finals as well as refereeing 50 test matches in total. White took on the role of RFU National Referee Academy manager in September 2010, performing this role whilst continuing to referee in the Aviva Premiership. He then retired in 2011, after taking chatge of over 190 Premiership matches, to take up his role as National Referee Academy manager on a full-time basis.
Joel Stransky
- Position: Fly-half
- DOB: 16/07/1967 (age 48)
- Current Club: Retired
- Preview Clubs: L’Aquila, San Dona, Leicester Tigers
- Honours: South Africa, Natal, Western Province
Fly-half Joel Stransky was a part of the famous Springboks’ side that triumphed at the 1995 World Cup. South Africa had been banned from the previous World Cups because of the Apartheid regime. He played an integral part in the South African team and scored all the points for his team in the World Cup final against the tournament favourites New Zealand, including a drop goal in the second period of extra time to secure the win in dramatic fashion. He would then go on to become a legend at Leicester Tigers, scoring 896 points in just 73 games between 1997 and 1999.