Martin Johnson came out of retirement, almost hit somebody after losing

Saturday, 03 December 2022 at 17:05

byRugby Rucker

Martin Johnson brilliantly came out of retirement for his local team in 2011 and almost ended up in a scrap, as always, as his team fell to a 24-17 defeat.

Richard Lainchbury, who played for the Harborough veterans side, said: "He may be a World Cup winner but he’s never played for Market Harborough first team, so he still had to prove himself.

"The game was played in the right spirit and he’s certainly not lost any of his intensity."

Tim Rogers, whose birthday celebration it was, said: ‘'I invited Martin to come back as my guest and play alongside some of the players from Welland Park and Robert Smyth he would have played with when he was much younger. He was happy to agree.'

"He played one half and had a good run around. No-one exerted themselves too much and the match was played in good spirits. He didn't look happy about losing and almost had a scrap, but that's why he was one of the best,"

Clubhouse manager Garry Brewster added: "Martin was asked to play and he was available so he said yes. I didn’t see much of the game because I was working behind the bar but from what I did see he looked very good. He knows the tricks of the trade."

"I asked the players what it was like playing with Martin and they said that at our level he could still play really good rugby.

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Some very well known @LeicesterTigers have graced the pitches at Market Harborough RFC including Martin Johnson! We look forward to welcoming all from Market Harborough at the weekend! @terenurerugby

7:07 PM · May 1, 2018

Martin Johnson facts:

Johnson comes from a sporting family. His great-grandfather was a wrestler. His younger brother Will is also a former back row forward for Leicester.
He briefly played American football for the Leicester Panthers as a tight end or defensive end.
Johnson was selected for the New Zealand under-21 side which went on a tour of Australia playing a side that included another of the all-time great lock forwards, John Eales.
His first job wa working in a nuts and bolts factory as a schoolboy

5 international rugby stars you DIDN’T KNOW are still playing

#1. Phil Vickery (England)

Age: 46
Total caps:78
Last appearance: vs New Zealand (June 2014)

The World Cup-winning tighthead has played in four or five charity games this season and doesn't appear to have lost a step.

He retired with 73 England caps and five Test appearances for the Lions, three of them against Australia in 2001 and two versus the Springboks in 2009.Advertisement

Although he missed the 2003 Grand Slam campaign through injury, Vickery returned to play a key role in England's World Cup triumph in Australia.

#2. Dan Carter (New Zealand)

The All Black legend played a match for his childhood club Southbridge last month, scoring 12 points for his boyhood side. He played the full 80 minutes and scored six of his seven kicks at goal as his side beat West Melton 54-14. Following the game, Carter revealed he intends to play a bigger part at his local club moving forward.

#3. Mike Tindall (England)

England legend and World Cup winner Mike Tindall plays a selection of matches for Minchinhampton, the club close to his home. The centre played outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, and won 75 caps for England between 2000 and 2011. He was a member of the England squad which won the 2003 World Cup.

#4. Will Greenwood (England)

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