Being one of the most popular players on the globe is likely to generate an incredible fan-base globally, but we are fairly confident that there are some aspects of Martin Johnson’s life and career you are not familiar with.
1. Family life
Martin Johnson comes from a sporting family. His great-grandfather was a wrestler. His younger brother Will is also a former back row forward for Leicester.
2. American Football
Johnson briefly played American football for the Leicester Panthers as a tight end or defensive end.
3. New Zealand U21
In 1989 he 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.
