Johnno's a true leader, says jason leonard

By Rob Virtue on April 17, 2008 9:00 AM |

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ENGLAND legend Jason Leonard says Martin Johnson will provide the national team with the leadership needed to reclaim former glories.

At the time of going to press, Johnson was on the verge of being handed the England manager’s job.

And Leonard, who was at ExCeL London in the Royal Docks publicising next month’s Think Regatta, was keen to throw his substantial weight behind his former skipper.

“It’s a role that is perfectly suited to Martin,” said Leonard, who played 114 times for England.

“He’s a leader of men, both on and off the field. Martin’s an astute rugby person in all aspects of the game. He was a second row, but he could quite easily converse with fly-halves, full-backs and wingers about their games.

“People say that does not make him a coach, but he’s the most experienced second row player we’ve had, the only ever England World Cup-winning captain, and the most successful ever British Lions captain.

“He’ll be able to coach people because that wealth of experience will come to the fore.”

Leonard’s view backs up those of current international Andy Gomarsall, who in last week’s Wharf also backed Johnson to thrive in the role.

“His man management skills are such that everybody has a say. I think he’ll do very well,” added Leonard.

Apart from making it to last year’s World Cup final, England have suffered a difficult spell since they won the tournament in 2003 and Leonard believes this is due to a constantly changing squad.

“A lot of the players involved in 2003 have retired and a lot have been injured,” he said. “They’ve also lost a couple of coaches in Woodward and Robinson.

“It’s not been settled. With Johnson coming in, it will create stability. That’s what England need and he’s the guy to bring it.”

Leonard is now working in the construction industry and, while he misses some parts of playing rugby, overall he’s happy to have left the game.

“When the two teams run out on the field you miss that,” he said. “The national anthems, you miss that. But as soon as you see a tackle thumping in you think I’m not too bothered.

“After 16 years of top class rugby, my heart has always been in construction. I’m a carpenter by trade; my father was a chippy. It was the easiest thing for me was to come back into construction. It’s a little bit like coming home.”

Leonard now works at the Wise Group and was at ExCeL for a photo shoot before the upcoming building convention, Think, being held on May 7-8.

A regatta for construction companies will be held in conjunction with the conference and it is hoped it will raise a huge amount for charity.

“The regatta is a bit of fun and is about enjoying yourself and getting away from the stresses of the job,” he said. “The scary thing for me is publicising it. I’m a big lad on a very small boat and I swim like a stone.”

To find out more about the Regatta go to www.think08.co.uk or contact Nikki Lawrence on nlawrence@cmpi.biz or 020 7579 4826.

rob.virtue@wharf.co.uk