Martin Johnson makes his senior England debut at the age of 22 as a late replacement for Wade Dooley against France in January 1993

The giant lock soon becomes a regular in the England side and enjoys Grand Slam success in the 1995 Five Nations campaign

The Five Nations Grand Slam win in 1995 sees Johnson pick up his first silverware within the England set-up

He is appointed Leicester club captain in 1997 and leads the Tigers to Pilkington Cup victory over Sale at Twickenham that year

The summer of 1997 sees him lead from the front, captaining the Lions to a memorable 2-1 series victory in South Africa

"Johnno" is made England captain in June 1999, but his side suffer a 44-21 World Cup quarter-final defeat to South Africa in October

In May 2001 he captains Leicester to their first Heineken Cup win with a thrilling 34-30 victory over Stade Francais

Later in the summer of 2001 Johnson becomes the first player ever to skipper two Lions tours, but the team lose the series 2-1 in Australia

With Johnson firmly at the helm, England clinch the 2003 Six Nations Grand Slam after an emphatic 42-6 victory in Ireland

Johnson is at his rampaging best as England seal their first win against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil for 30 years

A week after the success in Wellington, Johnson produces a colossal display as England beat Australia 25-14 in Melbourne

His playing career reaches its pinnacle with a dramatic 20-17 win over hosts Australia in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney

Johnson picks up awards away from the pitch as he gains the CBE in 2004 for services to rugby, adding to the OBE he already held

Johnson's playing career ends in April 2005 after 16 years at Welford Road a period in which he captained England 39 times in his 84 Tests

A new and unfamiliar challenge awaits as the inspirational Johnson is named England's new team manager on 16 April 2008