Billy Johnston (rugby union)

William Johnston (25 November 1885 – 29 November 1939) was an English international rugby union player.

Billy Johnston

Full name	William Johnston
Date of birth	(1885-11-25)25 November 1885
Place of birth	Horfield, Bristol, England
Date of death	29 November 1939(1939-11-29) (aged 54)
Place of death	Bristol, England
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1910–14 England 16 (0)

A native of Bristol, Johnston played his early rugby for Horsfield, before joining Bristol FC in 1908.^[1]

Johnston was tried as a halfback and wing three-quarter early on by Bristol, but didn't have the necessary pace for these role and moved to fullback, a position he made his own.^[2] He was the regular fullback for England from 1910 to 1914. His 16 caps became a long-standing record for an England fullback, eventually surpassed by Bob Hiller. He had two seasons as captain of Bristol between 1911 and 1913.^[3]

See also

• List of England national rugby union players

References

1. "Large Attendance At Funeral Of Mr W. R. Johnston". Western Daily Press. 4 December 1939.
2. "Late W. R. (Billy) Johnston". Bristol Evening Post. 30 November 1939.
3. "Ireland grace Twickenham for the first time". ESPN.com. 12 February 2010.

External links

• Billy Johnston at ESPNscrum