England prop Jason Leonard became the world’s most capped player when, in the fifth minute of the semi final with France, he ran on to the Telstra Stadium pitch as a blood replacement for Phil Vickery to make his record breaking 112th appearance.
Leonard, who made his debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 28 July 1990, had equalled the eight year old record of French centre Philippe Sella when he started for England in the 28-17 quarter final defeat of Wales.
The 35 year old, who became the fourth oldest player to participate in a Rugby World Cup semi final behind teammate Dorian West - another replacement tonight - also made his record extending 20th appearance in the history of the Tournament.
The prop can now look forward to his second Rugby World Cup final in what is his record equalling fourth Tournament, Leonard being the only survivor of England's 12-6 loss to Australia - their opponents in next Saturday's final - in 1991.
Leonard though will have taken his latest entry into the history books – he is the only forward to amass more than 100 caps – in his usual down to earth way after insisting beforehand that a team victory was more important than his personal milestone.
“I think it’s huge, a huge honour, I mean not many front rowers get to play so many games,” Leonard, who has also played five Tests for the British Lions, told Rugby News Service in the run up to the game.
“To be compared to Philippe Sella is great. He was a great player, but on a personal note it’s more about winning this game, a semi final at the World Cup. That’s more important.”
Loyal servant
Leonard was a couple of weeks shy of his 22nd birthday when he made his England debut and played 40 consecutive Test matches despite undergoing surgery on a ruptured vertebrae in May 1992 when a piece of his hip bone was grafted to his neck.
“I’ve had lots and lots of good moments in my career but I think that any time you pull on the jersey for England is always a special moment,” insisted Leonard, who has been a loyal servant to the Harlequins club for the last 13 years.
“I think any game, any victory you have ... they’re all very, very special and I’ve been very lucky because I have had quite a few.”
Leonard may be playing in his fourth Rugby World Cup, but for now at least the hugely popular prop is not thinking about retirement.
“When we are finished with the World Cup, we are back to club rugby,” said Leonard, who has scored only one international try in all his 112 caps. “So instead of the nice warm weather of Australia, it’s the wet, windy and cold winter in London.
“I can still play. I don't know how long for, but I am enjoying my rugby at the moment. I will just see how long I want to play for.”
The Leonard Milestones
14 August 1968: Jason Leonard is born in Barking, London
28 July 1990: Makes his Test debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires
August 1990: The carpenter joins English club Harlequins
16 March 1991: Becomes a Grand Slam winner in his first Five Nations Championship
2 November 1991: England lose the Rugby World Cup final 12-6 to Australia at Twickenham
7 March 1992: Helps England win a second successive Five Nations Grand Slam
May 1992: Undergoes surgery on a ruptured vertebrae in his neck where a piece of hip bone is grafted to his neck, an injury which kept him out for only three months
May/June 1993: Wins first British Lions Test cap against New Zealand
18 March 1995: Becomes England’s most capped prop with his 38th cap against Scotland at Twickenham as England claim another Five Nations Grand Slam
4 June 1995: Run of 40 consecutive Test matches ends when he is rested for England’s final Pool game at the Rugby World Cup against Western Samoa
22 June 1995: Leonard wins his 43rd cap as Philippe Sella wins his 111th and last in the third/fourth place playoff at Rugby World Cup 1995
23 November 1996: Becomes the youngest England player to win 50 caps against Italy at Twickenham
14 December 1996: Captains England for the first time against Argentina at Twickenham and scores his only Test try to date in the 20-18 victory.
24 May 1997: Captains the British Lions for first time against Eastern Province
October/November 1999: Plays in his third Rugby World Cup as England bow out at the quarter final stage after 44-21 defeat by South Africa
June/July 2001: Third British Lions tour
20 October 2001: Equals Sean Fitzpatrick’s record as the most capped forward with his 92nd appearance for England against Ireland in postponed Six Nations game
17 November 2001: Becomes the most capped forward of all time after winning his 93rd cap against Romania in England’s 134-0 victory at Twickenham
June 2002: Awarded the MBE for services to rugby in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List
15 February 2003: Leonard wins his 100th cap for England, becoming only the third player after Philippe Sella and David Campese to reach a century.
30 March 2003: Starts against Ireland as England claim the elusive Six Nations Grand Slam with a 42-6 victory at Lansdowne Road
September 2003: Named in England squad for his fourth Rugby World Cup
26 October 2003: Makes a record 18th Rugby World Cup appearance against Samoa, surpassing Fitzpatrick’s previous benchmark
9 November 2003: Equals Philippe Sella’s world record of 111 caps v Wales in quarter finals of Rugby World Cup 2003
16 November 2003: Becomes world’s most capped player in semi finals against France
[Compiled with information from jasonleonard-benefit.com]