Ranking the 33 players Martin Johnson handed debuts to as England Head Coach
Rob Andrew and Martin Johnson on his resignation as England Head Coach in November 2011
Credit: David Rogers/Getty Images
Although a legendary World Cup winning captain, lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup in 2003 in dramatic fashion after Jonny Wilkinson’s last minute drop goal, Martin Johnson’s tenure as England Manager was underwhelming to say the least.
Appointed in 2008 and ending after a drab defeat to France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, his England team was dogged by controversy during the tournament in New Zealand.
From the constant boozing to Manu Tuilagi jumping off a ferry, its safe to say Johnson gave his players a very long leash which they took full advantage of.
He handed 33 players their debuts in the white shirt of England, with some far more successful than others. The Flanker has ranked them below.
33 - Ayoola Erinle
A big strong centre who has Wasps, Leicester Tigers and Biarritz on his CV. Erinle has just two caps to his name but legendary status on the game Rugby 05.
32 - Jason Hobson
A Bristol stalwart who made over 100 appearances for the club. He was their Player's Player of the Year in 2012 and was handed a debut against New Zealand in 2008.
31 - Tom May
Utility back and sitting proudly at fifth on the all-time Premiership appearance with 247, he won two well-deserved caps on the 2009 tour against Argentina. Played every position but scrumhalf in his long and successful career.
30 - Sam Vesty
Fourth generation of Vesty to play for Tigers, he also appeared as a wicket-keeper/batsman for Leicestershire 2nd XI before focusing on rugby. Now part of Chris Boyd’s backroom team at Northampton Saints where TV camera’s caught this atrocity.
29 - Topsy Ojo
London Irish’s all time leading try scorer with 73 in all competitions - he was probably very unlucky not to earn more caps. Scored twice on his debut, with the first an interception of a Dan Carter pass before running 80m to dot down. Due to lack of appearances, he has to come in low down on the list.
28 - Paul Doran-Jones
The rugby equivalent Jermain Defoe, PDJ racked up eight clubs in his professional career before retiring in 2018. A solid operator either side of the scrum, he was actually capped at U21 level for Ireland where he qualified through his Mum.
27 - David Paice
One-club man Paice is a legend at London Irish and won a surprisingly high eight caps during his career - not because he was a bad player, but that The Flanker has no recollection of him in an England shirt. Can’t argue with 288 appearances for Irish and reaching a Heineken Cup semi-final in 2008 and the Premiership final a year later.
26 - Charlie Sharples
Absolutely rapid. Ran the 100m in 11.30 seconds when he was 17 and the 40m dash in 4.82 seconds when at a 2011 World Cup training camp with England. Still trotting out for Gloucester on occasion and is a reliable performer for the Cherry and Whites.
25 - Jordan Crane
A loyal servant with over 250 appearances for Leicester and Bristol Bears, the Covid-19 pandemic robbed Crane of a proper retirement this as he shuffled off during lockdown rather than in front of the Ashton Gate faithful.
A hardworking back row/lock, his finest moment has to be nailing the winning penalty kick during the epic Tigers win over Cardiff Blues in the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final and nudges him higher in these rankings.
24 - Nick Kennedy
Played in every game under Johnson during the 2009 Six Nations before moving to warmer climbs in 2012 when he swapped Reading for Toulon. Made 217 appearances for London Irish and was a top lineout operator in his day. Is now Head of Recruitment at Saracens where he has a rebuilding job on his hands following their relegation to the Championship.
23 - Hendre Fourie
Fondly known as “Shrek” to teammates, Fourie was a workhorse who gave his all when trotting out for Rotherham, Leeds and later Sale Sharks. Was a bit of a Johnson favourite, who clearly saw some Neil Back traits in the South African born flanker. He was forced to retire in 2013 due to a shoulder injury and was subsequently involved in a visa dispute with the Home Office.
22 - Matt Banahan
Another Johnson favourite, the 6 ft 7 and 17st 5lb slice of Jersey beef is still terrifying defences while at Gloucester with his size and power in the wide channels. Earned a respectable 16 caps for the Red Rose and travelled to New Zealand as part of the 2011 World Cup squad. Not bad for a guy who was a second rower until he was 20.
21 - Joe Simpson
Another guy who was on the plane to NZ in 2011 - it is absolutely criminal he made his sole appearance for England against Georgia in a pool game during the tournament. Now 32, it may well be his only cap as the electrifying scrumhalf was unlucky to be around in the same era as Ben Youngs, Richard Wigglesworth and Danny Care.
20 - Shontayne Hape
At the other end of that scale, probably a guy who maybe earned too many caps for his adopted country. The dual-code centre enjoyed a stellar league career in the UK at Bradford Bulls before converting to join Bath in 2008.
In fairness, he was a solid defensive player and a strong ball carrier but maybe lacked the finesse to unlock opposition defences required from an international centre. High up on our list due to caps accrued alone.
19 - Mouritz Botha
Interestingly enough, Botha coached Germany during their 2019 World Cup qualifying campaign and then helped Georgia in their pre-tournament preparations after the Black Eagles failed to make the finals.
He spent five successful seasons at Saracens from 2009-2014, earning 10 England appearances in the process. Is now assistant coach at ambitious Championship outfit Ampthill.
18 - Dave Attwood
An excellent set piece lock who was extremely powerful at the scrum, Attwood still features regularly for Bristol Bears at the ripe old age of 33. Earned a healthy 24 caps for England and earned his last one in 2018 under current head coach Eddie Jones. Want some trivia? (course you do) Attwood was England U16 discus champion.
17 - Steffon Armitage
Ah what could have been - the 2014 European Player of the Year won a Top 14 and three European Cups during his stellar five years at Toulon. He was at the centre of a power struggle as England refused to pick him while based in France, a policy still adopted today.
He was found guilty of sexual assault in September 2019 in France, joining Biarritz as his contract with San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby was ripped up as a result.
16 - David Wilson
Geordie Wilson was an extremely useful bench option for England due to his ability to cover both sides of the scrum. Made his debut for Newcastle Falcons way back in 2003 before joining Bath in 2009.
Returned to hometown club Falcons in 2016 where he dropped of the radar a bit. We were unable to find out what he’s up to now but one can assume, at the age of 35, he has retired. A whopping 44 England caps puts him high on this list.
15 - Ugo Monye
BT Sport’s Ugo Monye™ was a very handy player before becoming a eloquent and engaging pundit. Ugz enjoyed a long career after making his debut for Quins in 2002, going on to play 237 times for the West Londoners and scoring 87 tries.
Only gained 14 caps for England between 2008-2012 but perhaps is best known to fans for his work on the British and Irish Lions tour of 2009 where he scored a memorable intercept try in the dead rubber Third Test.
14 - Matt Mullan
Another “what could have been” player in this era. Mullan was a mobile, dynamic loosehead who suffered terribly with injuries since his 2010 England debut.
The former Worcester man was released by Wasps last year so he could “focus on other areas” outside of rugby. He is now a personal trainer and qualified coach so he could yet get back into the game in an off the field role.
Safe to say he no longer has a front rower’s frame anymore…
13 - Delon Armitage
Delon has a rap sheet as long as your arm but he was a fullback who looked like Serge Blanco on his day. An elusive runner with power and pace, Armitage had a solid 2011 World Cup out of position on the wing in a dismal campaign for England.
Won two Heineken Cups with Toulon’s all conquering Galaticos before swapping France for National League One club Chinnor RFC where he is now Backs Coach with the Oxfordshire outfit.
12 - Riki Flutey
A very classy inside centre who arguably should have earned more than 14 caps before a shoulder injury ruined his later career.
After qualifying for England on residency terms in 2008 - and wining the RPA Player of the Year award in a title winning Wasps team that year - he was immediately called up by Johnson and was ever present in his tenure.
Went on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour on the back of being the joint top try scorer in the Six Nations that year. Now part of the coaching staff at the Highlanders in his native New Zealand.
11 - Tom Wood
A reliable performer who could cover all the back rower positions, Wood is still flying into tackles and rucks for his club Northampton Saints after being jettisoned by Eddie Jones following the painful 2017 Grand Slam decider defeat to Ireland.
Despite captaining Northampton to both the European Rugby Challenge Cup and Aviva Premiership titles, one of his finest hours was a Man of the Match performance in England's famous 38-21 victory over New Zealand in 2012.
Tom Wood rising high during England’s 38-21 victory over New Zealand in 2012 at Twickenham
Credit: Getty Images
10 - Ben Foden
Foden is probably more accustomed to being on the front pages of the national papers nowadays rather than the back but there is no doubt he was a hell of a player in his pomp.
A brilliant counter attacking fullback with bags of pace, he earned 34 caps for the Red Rose before becoming something of a trendsetter after joining Rugby United New York in 2018 with many international names joining him in Major League Rugby.
9 - Alex Corbisiero
Injuries, injuries and more injuries to his shoulder, neck and back dogged the career of Corbs and meant his goose was cooked in 2016 as he was forced into early retirement aged just 27.
Before that, the powerful loosehead played 31 times for England and won the 2014 Premiership with Northampton Saints after joining from London Irish in 2013.
He started the First and Third Tests on the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour where he gave opponent tighthead Ben Alexander a torrid time. Corbisiero announced last month he is bravely battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.
8 - Chris Robshaw
A brilliant back row player who made over 300 appearances for Harlequins before his move to San Diego Legion was announced this year, his England career began average circumstances as Argentina beat a youthful side 24-22 in La Salta way back in 2009.
Unfairly associated with the terrible 2015 World Cup campaign thanks in part to his role as captain, he leaves for the USA with 66 caps under his belt along with Six Nations and Premiership medals.
The decision to go for the corner while trailing Wales by three points in the dying moments in the 2015 pool game still “haunts” Robshaw, but his tireless work rate and tackling ability should not be forgotten by fans and places him in the top 10 with us.
7 - Danny Care
Long term mucker of the above, the former Leeds Tykes man is still going strong at Harlequins with 271 appearances and - interestingly enough - a 2006 Commonwealth Games Silver Medal from his time on the Sevens circuit.
Perhaps harshly overlooked for the 2019 World Cup, he can still count two Six Nations title and a Grand Slam in his locker when he finally puts his feet up in retirement.
He may not look back fondly on his debut, however, as it came as part of a tough tour of New Zealand in 2008 where the visitors were smashed twice by the imperious All Blacks.
6 - Chris Ashton
Just the 20 international tries in 44 appearances for the Ash Splash, whose iconic celebration brought in new legions of rugby fans and was copied by kids up and down the land.
The league convert also represented England RL while at Wigan Warriors, joining an exclusive club of players who have played with the national side in both sports.
A scoring machine at club level with Northampton Saints, Saracens, Toulon, Sale Sharks and now Harlequins, Ashton will best be known for one of the best Twickenham tries in history against Australia in 2010.
5 - Courtney Lawes
The man deftly flicking the ball out to Ashton in the video above, Lawes is sitting pretty on 80 caps after making his Red Rose debut in 2009 in the 18–9 defeat against Australia at Twickenham.
A one man wrecking ball when he came into the team, Lawes has improved other areas of games since and is now a workhorse at the breakdown along with being a canny lineout operator.
The Flanker fully expects him to reach his ton with England and go on a second Lions tour to South Africa next year.
4 - Dan Cole
Speaking of centuries, Cole is sitting pretty on 95 and very well may not reach his - which would be a huge shame for one of the finest props of his generation.
A truly fearsome scrummager and tackler, the last of those appearances came in the 2019 World Cup Final loss to South Africa before he was ditched by Eddie Jones for this years Six Nations.
With just the 241 appearances for Leicester Tigers in his career, serving an apprenticeship under Martin Castrogiovanni and Julian White, he actually replaced number 16 on this list, David Wilson, for his England debut against Wales in 2010.
3 - Dylan Hartley
A man Eddie Jones and Martin Johnson before him had big faith in, his ability was undoubted but his temperament less so. Since 2007, he has been banned for up to 60 weeks across various incidents in his playing career.
He cleaned up his act (more or less) since 2015 and was handed the armband by Jones on his appointment as England Head Coach - who loved his abrasive and physical style of play.
Hartley sits second on the list of most capped Englishman, with the Rotorua-born hooker earning 97 run outs since his debut against the Pacific Islanders in 2008 alongside Delon Armitage, Riki Flutey, Nick Kennedy and Ugo Monye.
Injuries decimated his later career, with his new tell-all book “The Hurt” detailing his agony at missing out on last years World Cup due to knee trouble and issues surrounding repeated concussions.
2 - Manu Tuilagi
Another who has spent his fair share of time on the treatment table with knee injuries plaguing his recent years, Tuilagi is one of the most powerful and destructive ball carriers in the world when fit.
The proverbial runt of the Tuilagi litter, with brothers Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele were all playing for Leicester and Samoa while Manu was still in short shorts.
Emerging from their rather large shadows, Manu has been to two World Cups with England and won a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2016 with his shift against New Zealand in last years semi-final 19-7 victory utterly brilliant.
Discipline issues have gone hand in hand with injuries to set his career back at various points, but his natural rugby ability can’t be doubted. Tuilagi made his England debut in the World Cup warm-up match against Wales in 2011, winning 43 caps to date.
1 - Ben Youngs
Youngs has to go down as one of the modern greats of England rugby, sitting proudly at second on the all-time appearance makers list with 99 caps behind only the great Justin Leonard who he will overtake injuries willing.
When he first came into the team at the tender age of 21, he was seen as a sniping, electric runner from the base of the ruck in the mould of Joost van der Westhuizen but has added more strings to his bow as the years have gone on.
The Leicester scrumhalf is now capable of managing a game with brilliant box kicking and his distribution has improved tenfold since the early years and it has seen him go on to play at three World Cups.
A proper team man, he was introduced by Johnson for his England debut as a substitute on the wing for the injured Ugo Monye in the Calcutta Cup match against Scotland in March 2010.
It is testament to Youngs character that he withdrew from the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour party to be with brother Tom whose wife Tiffany was diagnosed with cancer - which she beat against all the odds back in 2018.
Don’t but it past him to be on the plane next year to South Africa where he could once again don the famous red jersey. Probably the finest and most consistent number 9 England has produced, Youngs is a worthy winner of top spot.
Youngs celebrates his disallowed try during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi-Final match between England and New Zealand in Yokohama
Credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images
