LIST: 5 rugby players you didn’t know played for other countries

Here are five of the biggest rugby stars who you might not know played for other countries during their careers.

In 1989, the future England captain was approached by former All Black Colin Meads to try out for the King Country side in New Zealand. Johnson’s trial run was successful and he played two seasons for King Country.

In 1990 he was even selected for the New Zealand under-21 side which went on a tour of Australia playing a side that included another of the all-time great lock forwards, John Eales.

Did you know? Johnson briefly played American football for the Leicester Panthers as a tight end or defensive end

Mako Vunipola, far-right in the back row, and Billy, fourth right, played for East Wales schools alongside Wales’s Taulupe Faletau. However, after attending English schools they made the switch to represent England. Billy even once admitted he wanted Australia to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Hamilton played for England at under-19 and under-21 level but decided to opt for senior honours with Scotland. He was the 1000th man to be capped by Scotland when he made an appearance off the bench against Romania on 11 November 2006.  He went onto win 63 caps in total.

DID YOU KNOW? He’s briefly mentioned on Pottermore, in an excerpt written by J.K. Rowling for the website, suggesting that he is in fact a squib (powerless wizard) masquerading as a muggle (non magical person)

The Gloucester centre had a long road from the National League to International rugby. One of those stop-offs was representing England counties. He’s now a regular Scotland international, and was selected by Warren Gatland for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

New Zealand’s loss was Samoa’s gain in the case of back-rower Pat Lam, as he traded All Black for the blue of the Islanders after failing to win a Test cap. He played only once for the All Blacks, in a 1991 tour game, but won 34 caps for Samoa and played at three World Cups.

He played only once for the All Blacks, in a 1991 tour game, but won 34 caps for Samoa and played at three World Cups.