Jason Leonard was a one-off. The finest prop of his generation was also the ultimate showman, whose enthusiasm was loved by all. RUCK remembers the best stories, pranks and mishaps that made the legend that is Fun Bus...
There will never be another Jason Leonard – that bonkers, brilliant, side-splitting soul adored by generations
1. 'I didn't do it'
Just before we headed out to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, all the players agreed on a booze ban when coach Jack Rowell discovered that someone had come in at 2am. He accused me at training the next day and I flatly denied it. As I told Martin Bayfield standing next to me: "It couldn't have been me Bayf - I didn't get in until 4am." Poor Bayf just burst out laughing.
2. Origins of Fun Bus
Coming back from injury, Leonard was called up for an England tour to South Africa 1993 despite putting on a bit of weight. We had these big cotton shirts, which were bright red and looked skin tight on me. Martin Bayfield, because of my London accent and the red shirt, thought I looked like a big red bus, hense 'fun bus'.
3. Argentina tour
Extract from Jason Leonard's autobiogaphy.
4. His funniest stories
In this video, he picks a couple involving Australasia's Prime Minister and the late, great Nelson Mandela.
5. 28 pints
Prop Jason Leonard noted that he had 28 pints of lager and when the astounded, part-time nutritionist asked just exactly he was up to each week to consume 28 pints, he was met with a confused look. "That's 28 pints on the Saturday and eight to settle the head on Sunday," Leonard replied.
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST:
Jason Leonard’s Drinking XV | Legend picks his top boozers
England legend Jason Leonard has picked his drinking XV of players from down the years that he'd want with him for long sessions and it's brilliant.
Although he did make sure to pick a designated driver, which we say is VERY sensible.
Gavin Hastings (Full-back, Scotland)
Rory Underwood (Wing and designated driver, England)
Jerry Guscott (Centre, England)
Jerry Guscott (Centre, England)
Scott Gibbs (Centre, Wales)
Scott Hastings (Wing, Scotland)
Stuart Barnes (Outside-half, England)
Robert Jones (Scrum-half, Wales. Replaced at half-time by Dewi Morris, England)
Scott Hastings (Wing, Scotland)
Stuart Barnes (Outside-half, England)
Robert Jones (Scrum-half, Wales. Replaced at half-time by Dewi Morris, England)
Paul Rendall (Prop, England)
Brian Moore (Hooker, England)
Brian Moore (Hooker, England)
Jeff Probyn (Prop, England)
Wade Dooley (Lock, England)
Norm Hadley (Lock, Canada)
Peter Winterbottom (Flanker, England)
Dean Richards (No8, England)
Wade Dooley (Lock, England)
Norm Hadley (Lock, Canada)
Peter Winterbottom (Flanker, England)
Dean Richards (No8, England)
Mickey Skinner (Flanker, England)+
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