It was an unintended act of defiance but Martin Johnson’s decision not to obey the exhortations of a steward to move along the carpet so that Ireland could take their usual place in 2003 set the tone for the day on which England finally did claim a Grand Slam.
Even the Irish president, Mary McAleese had to get her shoes dirty to perform the ceremonial handshaking.
That moment has since been described as defining footstep towards that team going on to lift the Rugby World Cup in Sydney later that year.
Martin Johnson’s fights: Five of his iconic SCRAPS
Despite being England’s inspirational captain at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Martin Johnson did occasionally hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
1. Doddie Weir
After an argument breaks out at a scrum, Leicester lock Martin Johnson lands a punch on the chin of Scottish lock playing for the Barbarians Doddie Weir during their match in May 1999 at Twickenham.