Rugby, Australian Football: Johnson to retire in June

Martin Johnson plans to take a complete break from any involvement in top-level rugby during his first year in retirement. The 34-year-old former England and British Lions captain announced today he would be retiring from top-class competitive rugby at the end of the season, and he intends to take an extended break from the sport.

Johnson's last game will be at Twickenham and June 4 - the same place he started his England career in 1993 against France - in a testimonial against a Southern Hemisphere team captained by All Black legend Jonah Lomu. Despite the temptation to go straight into a coaching career, Johnson insists he needs at least a year away from the game before deciding on his future.

And the World Cup-winning captain is looking forward to being able to relax away from the pressures of the professional game.

Sportinglife