Fans are only just realising that England's legendary World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson once pulled on the famous black jersey of New Zealand.
Legendary All Black Colin Meads invited the raw but promising teenager to New Zealand to play for the King Country province in 1989 and Johnson would play three times for the All Blacks under-21s – beating the Aussies in Sydney in 1990 – and later married a Kiwi.
Johnson could have stayed Down Under and qualified for NZ but chose the Red Rose instead of the Silver Fern and beat them at their own game as a player home and away.
Five more players who swapped nations:
#1. Stuart Barnes - England/Wales
Although born in Essex, he was to captain Wales Schools. Such was his speed and talent, he made the leap from the U15s to the U19s after one season, and became an ever-present (he didn’t miss a schools international for four years between 1976 & 1980), also captaining the team on several occasions.
However, Barnes made his England debut against Australia in November 1984. He gained ten caps for England and played his last international match in 1993 against Ireland.
DID YOU KNOW? He graduated from Oxford University with a third-class honours degree in history
#2. Pat Lam - Samoa/New Zealand
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.
Bristol Bears coach Pat Lam carries out post match interviews after the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears at Welford Road on June 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
2. Billy & Mako Vunipola (Wales)
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.
4. Va'aiga Tuigamala - New Zealand/Samoa
Widely known as 'Inga the Winger', Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala is also known as being one of the most powerful, hard-hitting and versatile backs ever to play the game.
As well as representing the All Blacks at international level, Inga also played for Samoa in both rugby union and rugby league both at centre and on the wing. As an All Black, he played in 19 tests (scoring 5 tries) and 20 non-international matches (scoring 9 tries).
5. Brad Barritt - South Africa/England
Despite playing for the emerging Springboks, South African-born Brad Barritt went onto represent England after moving to Saracens.
England and (Saracens) Brad Barritt - Photo mandatory by-line:Graeme Truby/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 02/02/2013 - SPORT - RBS 6 NATIONS - RUGBY - England v Scotland, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, England
