“I never dropped him” – Woodward ranks his five best England players - Page 3 of 5 - Ruck

“I never dropped him” – Woodward ranks his five best England players

#3. Martin Johnson

  • Born March 9, 1970, Solihull
  • Major teams British and Irish Lions, Leicester Tigers, England, England XV
  • Position Lock

Captained the Lions on two tours, including the triumphant 1997 trip to South Africa, while he will always be remembered as the man presented with the 2003 World Cup, which England won in Sydney.

As well as being an inspirational leader, the Leicester lock was also a formidable player in his own right. A rock like presence in the tight, whose rugby motto was if in doubt, go forward.

A giant of the game in more ways than one, Johnson is widely regarded as one of the greatest locks to have ever played the game.

WOODWARD SAID: “Inspirational leader, formidable player, competitive in every situation. The example he set in every tight situation in every game led the way.”

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson briefly played American football for the Leicester Panthers as a tight end or defensive end

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