English Rugby
A look back at Johnson's career
ESPNscrum Staff
November 16, 2011
Johnson held aloft the World Cup in 2003
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In the wake of Martin Johnson's resignation from the England post, ESPNscrum takes a look at his career to date. 1970: Born March 9, Solihull. 1989: Makes senior Leicester debut. 1993: Makes England debut against France at Twickenham after Wade Dooley injury. England win 16-15. June - Dooley's injury on Lions tour of New Zealand means an unexpected call-up. Plays in final two Tests. 1994: Plays first full Five Nations campaign but concussed during England tour of South Africa, forcing him to return home early. 1995: Enjoys Grand Slam glory and is only England forward to play throughout six-match World Cup campaign in South Africa. 1996: Marks 25th cap with first England try against Italy in Five Nations match at Twickenham in November. 1997: Helps England win a third successive Triple Crown. April 2 - Named Lions captain for South Africa tour. June - Leads from the front as the Lions win the first two Tests, taking the series 2-1. August - Appointed Leicester captain. November - Suspended for one Test for throwing a punch at Justin Marshall in the 25-8 defeat by New Zealand at Old Trafford. 1998: Plays in all four Five Nations matches as England finish second behind France. 1999: Appears to stamp on the throat of John Leslie in the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Twickenham but only receives yellow card from Irish referee David McHugh. June - Appointed England captain by coach Clive Woodward. October - Skippers England to the quarter-finals of the World Cup where they are beaten by South Africa in Paris. 2000: Sits out the entire Six Nations campaign with an Achilles injury. June - In outstanding form as England have the better of a 1-1 series draw in South Africa. December - Banned for 35 days by RFU for off-the-ball challenge on Duncan McRae in a Tetley's Bitter Cup tie against Saracens. 2001: February - Leads England to Six Nations wins against Wales, Italy, Scotland and France. Grand Slam decider against Ireland postponed because of outbreak of foot and mouth disease. May - Leads Leicester to Heineken Cup final win over Stade Francais in Paris. June - Becomes first player in history to captain the Lions on two different tours, when he leads them in three-Test series against world champions Australia. Lions win first Test in Brisbane, then lose next two. 2002: February 9 - Sin-binned during Leicester's league win at Saracens, although television footage shows him punching Robbie Russell, leaving the Saracens hooker requiring six stitches to cut beneath left eye. February 21 - Banned for three weeks at RFU hearing. March 5 - Johnson's appeal against RFU ban dismissed. May 26 - Lifts the Heineken Cup for second successive year as Leicester beat Munster 15-9 in Cardiff. 2003: March 30 - Leads England to a 42-6 victory over Ireland at Lansdowne Road to win Six Nations Grand Slam. June 14 - Captains England to a 15-13 win against New Zealand in Wellington - first success against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil for 30 years. June 21 - On the field again as the national side beat Australia 25-14 - their first-ever win in Australia. November 22: Becomes first England captain to lift a World Cup after a dramatic 20-17 victory over hosts Australia in Sydney. December 31: It is announced he will receive a CBE in the 2004 New Year Honours list. 2004: January 17 - Confirms retirement from international rugby at Leicester's Heineken Cup game with Ulster. January 26 - Announces he will retire from club rugby at the end of the season. May 14 - Plays last game of professional rugby in Leicester's 39-14 defeat to Wasps in the Zurich Grand Final. 2006: November - Tipped as potential replacement for sacked England head coach Andy Robinson, with the job eventually going to Brian Ashton. 2007: April - Johnson reveals he has been approached over a role with the RFU but he insists "the time isn't right". 2008: April 16 - Named England team manager with effect from July 1, having secured a deal until December 31, 2011. 2009: England finish second in first Six Nations under Johnson after wins against Italy, France and Scotland and defeats against Wales and Ireland. 2010: England beat Wales and Italy but lose to Ireland and France and draw with Scotland to finish third in the Six Nations. June 19 - England beat Australia 21-20 in Sydney. November 13 - England beat Australia 35-18 at Twickenham. 2011: March 19 - England win the Six Nations by beating Wales, Italy, France and Scotland but miss out on a Grand Slam by losing their final match against Ireland in Dublin. September 10 - England open World Cup Pool B campaign with a 13-9 win over Argentina. October 1 - England complete their group matches with a 16-12 win over Scotland, having at one stage trailed to their great rivals. October 8 - England crash out of World Cup with a 19-12 defeat against France in Auckland. November 16 - Johnson resigns as England team manager with a record of 21 wins, 16 defeats and one draw. © ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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