Martin Johnson Speaks After Heartbreaking Effort to Save Neighbour’s Life

Best known for leading England to their historic World Cup victory in 2003, his legacy reaches far beyond that achievement. Among rugby fans, Johnson stands out as one of the rare few to have captained the British and Irish Lions on more than one tour.

Since becoming patron of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), Johnson’s motivation has switched from lighting up people’s lives to helping save lives.

Johnson said: “If you have got someone on the floor who has collapsed with no pulse what are you going to do?

“You may think ‘it won’t happen to me’ but if it does and you haven’t done any training you will have to live with that forever.

"I would urge all coaches to take UK Coaching’s online course, so that if you find yourself in that moment, you will know what to do; and know that you are giving that person the best chance they have of survival.”

“There will always be an initial shock if you are confronted by it, because we aren't paramedics who deal with it every day, but if you have had training, you go into autopilot, remember the steps you have been taught and jump straight into the ‘have we done this’, ‘have we done that’. That’s what training does, it kicks in.”

Johnson knows this from personal experience. His neighbour had a heart attack a few years ago and Johnson and his wife (who were first on the scene) administered CPR while a friend ran to fetch the village AED.

“We did what we could. Unfortunately, the post-mortem showed that there was nothing that we could have done that would have saved him because it was heart disease, not a cardiac arrest. 

"But at least you know you have done everything that you can do. The thought of just standing there and doing nothing in that situation is horrendous. It was horrific anyway. 

“I’m just forever grateful that me and my wife both did the training through the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust.”

His treatment of Tom Willis has sparked debate across the rugby world, with TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey calling it “childish” for the head coach to ignore form players in key positions.

From a once-undroppable fullback to a powerhouse No 8 and a winger once compared to Jonah Lomu, here are the stars who’ve slipped out of favour under Borthwick’s rule.

Club: Saracens → Bordeaux Bègles (2025)
Caps: 8

Despite still being fully eligible for England, Tom Willis has effectively been blacklisted by Steve Borthwick. The England boss has refused to pick the powerhouse No 8 for the rest of the season — even though Willis is on a £160,000 enhanced Elite Player Squad contract.

The 26-year-old will leave Saracens for Bordeaux Bègles next summer, but his omission from the latest training squad shows just how ruthless Borthwick can be. Willis starred for England last year, starting six Tests and carrying that form into the new Premiership campaign.

Former England international Austin Healey branded Borthwick’s stance “childish,” pointing out that Willis is England’s only true specialist No 8.

RUCK Verdict: Still eligible, still in form — yet frozen out. If this isn’t personal, it sure looks like it.

Club: Leicester Tigers
Caps: 36

Once an automatic pick, Steward was the definition of reliability — calm under the high ball and rock-solid in defence. But Borthwick’s decision to experiment with Marcus Smith at fullback has seen the Leicester man pushed aside.

Still in the wider squad but without a central contract, Steward’s spot is no longer secure.

RUCK Verdict: Harsh on one of England’s most dependable defenders — punished for consistency, not complacency.

Club: Toulon (joined 2025)
Caps: 2

Mercer’s move back to France with Toulon ends any short-term England hopes. After tearing up the Top 14 with Montpellier and being crowned Player of the Year, his return to Gloucester was supposed to relaunch his Test career.

Instead, Borthwick barely looked his way. Now, by heading back across the Channel, Mercer has effectively ruled himself out of England selection under current RFU policy.

RUCK Verdict: England’s loss, Toulon’s gain — one of the most dynamic No 8s around.

Club: Bath Rugby
Caps: 16

It’s been eight years since Cokanasiga first pulled on an England shirt. The comparisons to Jonah Lomu were unfair, but his blend of pace and power is still unmatched.

He’s shown flashes for Bath, but inconsistency and injuries have stopped him cementing a Test spot. Borthwick remains unconvinced.

RUCK Verdict: The fans adore him — the coaches don’t. Time is running out to prove them wrong.

Club: Leicester Tigers
Caps: 2

Hassell-Collins burst onto the scene with two caps in the 2023 Six Nations, only to vanish from the picture just as quickly.

There was even talk of a Wales switch through family heritage, but his recent England A appearance locks him into red-rose eligibility for now. Despite great form for Tigers, Borthwick isn’t biting.

RUCK Verdict: The raw pace and finishing are there — England just aren’t calling.

Club: Northampton Saints
Caps: 1

One of the Premiership’s best young flankers, Pearson continues to bang on the door. He’s excelled for Northampton but can’t seem to convince Borthwick he’s the man for the job.

Others have leapfrogged him into recent squads, leaving Pearson stuck on one cap since 2023.

RUCK Verdict: The potential is obvious — but the England back-row queue is brutally long.

Despite facing a formidable All Blacks side, the squad was packed with legendary talent representing England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

From unforgettable tries to moments of controversy, this tour had it all—and it’s time to see just how much you remember!

Can you recall every player who pulled on the famous red jersey during that iconic tour? Dive into this quiz to test your Lions knowledge and relive a piece of rugby history!