LIST | 5 bizarre and hilarious Jason Leonard stories

Thursday, 17 September 2020 at 16:17

byRugby Rucker

England legend Jason Leonard has told many great stories down the years.

The loosehead-prop was the youngest man ever to pack down in England's front row when he made his debut aged 22 against Argentina in 1990.

Fourteen years later he retired as the only English player to rack up a century of Test appearances, and was for a time the world's most capped player.

Here are some of our favourites tales from his incredible rugby career..

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.

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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'.

jason leonard englands most capped rugby player

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.

Jason Leonard's funniest moments in Rugby from Rugby Business Network on Vimeo.

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)

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Rory Underwood (Wing and designated driver, England)
Jerry Guscott (Centre, England)

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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)

Paul Rendall (Prop, England)
Brian Moore (Hooker, England)

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Jeff Probyn (Prop, England)
Wade Dooley (Lock, England)
Norm Hadley (Lock, Canada)
Peter Winterbottom (Flanker, England)
Dean Richards (No8, England)