MARTIN JOHNSON, England’s World Cup-winning captain who retired from the international game in January, has turned down the chance to extend his career by playing in South Africa next year. Johnson, 35, in his final season with Leicester Tigers, was the subject of an audacious bid to lure him to play in the Super 12 series.
The approach was made by Alan Zondagh, the former London Scottish and Saracens coach, who now acts as a players’ agent. He contacted Johnson’s representatives at Sports Connection Group, the company which also looks after the interests of Jonny Wilkinson, this month.
Johnson, who played in New Zealand in his youth and could have become an All Black, gave the idea short shrift. Tim Buttimore, his agent, said: “I am not sure Martin gave it too much consideration. But it shows how popular he is.”
It was the second time in 12 months that South Africans had sounded out Johnson.
At this stage of his career, however, he is more interested in playing out his time with Leicester, who have granted him a testimonial this season in recognition of his outstanding service for both club and country. Then he will consider his options.
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Whatever he decides to do, his financial future is assured. His autobiography, which came out after the World Cup, was a bestseller and he has benefited from some astute business deals brokered by Buttimore. A farewell game at Twickenham is also being considered.
Johnson has still to make his mind up about his availability for next year’s British Isles tour to New Zealand. Clive Woodward, the head coach, has made it clear that the door would be open for Johnson, who captained the Lions in South Africa in 1997 and again in 2001 to Australia. But it seems increasingly likely that the player will decide not to go.
Sale Sharks, who beat Leicester in their opening game of the season, will look to continue their impressive start to the Zurich Premiership tonight, when they meet Saracens at Edgeley Park. Under Philippe Saint-Andre, their new director of rugby, Sale followed their defeat of the Tigers with victory away to London Wasps on Saturday.
There will undoubtedly be extra spice to the game as Steve Diamond, the Saracens assistant coach, left Sale last season and took seven players with him. As is his wont, Saint-Andre has made a raft of changes as he rotates his squad. Five players come in to the side that started against Wasps, including a new front row of Trevor Woodman, Sébastien Bruno and Barry Stewart. Jason White, the Scotland international, is recalled to the back row as well as Chris Rhys Jones for the injured Jos Baxendell.
Kyran Bracken is among three players returning for Saracens, who made hard work of beating Worcester on Sunday. Bracken, one of the old guard who called time on his England career after the World Cup, has recovered from a minor knock. Richard Haughton and Ben Johnston are also back.
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Matt Burke will make his full debut for Newcastle Falcons on Sunday against Harlequins at Kingston Park. The Australia international, who came on as a substitute for Newcastle’s victory away to Bath last weekend, replaces Joe Shaw in the starting line-up.
Elsewhere, Harlequins have signed Matt Henjak, a scrum half with the ACT Brumbies, on a short-term contract. The 22-year-old has won two caps for Australia.