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Ashley Johnson (rugby union)

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For other people with the same name, see Ashley Johnson.

Ashley Johnson
Birth nameAshley Francois Johnson
Date of birth (1986-05-16) 16 May 1986 (age 38)
Place of birthWynberg, South Africa
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight112 kg (247 lb; 17 st 9 lb)
SchoolPaarl Gymnasium, South Africa
Occupation(s)Professional rugby union footballer
Rugby union career
Position(s) No.8 / Flanker / hooker
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2020 Wasps 198 (210)
2020— Birmingham Moseley ()
Correct as of 1 July 2020
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007–2012 Free State Cheetahs 63 (95)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2012 Cheetahs 35 (30)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2012 South Africa 3 (0)

Ashley Johnson (born 16 May 1986)[1] is a professional rugby union player-coach who plays and coaches for Birmingham Moseley in National League 1. He previously played for Free State Cheetahs at provincial level, Cheetahs in the Super Rugby, Wasps in Premiership Rugby and the Springboks. His usual position is hooker, having converted from backrow whilst with Wasps. His first game for the Springboks was in 2009 on tour to the British Isles, but he only earned his first Test Caps in the 2011 Tri-Nations series.

Career

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Ashley Johnson is the son of Archie Johnson, who played Tight-Head Prop for the Western Province League and the SA Federation team (SA Proteas) in the 80s.[2] Ashley followed in his father's footsteps and started out in the Prop position at school level, before moving to the no8 position.[3]

At an early age Ashley was scouted and received a Nike Bursary, from where he continued his schooling at Paarl Gim. He eventually captained the Paarl Gim 1st team.[3] and a Western Province schools team.

In 2006 Ashley joined the Free State Cheetahs. Between 2008 and 2009 he was loaned to the Griffons Rugby team for short stints, as Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské planned to give Ashley more game time. It was also during this time that Naka Drotské experimented by playing Ashley at Hooker (No. 2) position, but due to injury problems in the loose forwards Ashley Johnson was recalled and had his first true chance to shine at No.8 where he excelled. This earned him his first call-up for the Springboks (South African International Rugby Union Team) in the November 2009 tour to the British Isles.[4][5][6]

On 11 April 2012, Johnson signed for English side Wasps in the Aviva Premiership for the 2012/13 season.[citation needed]

On 20 April 2018 it was revealed that Johnson had tested positive for a "prohibited substance" in an out of competition drugs test on 7 February 2018 and was suspended until further notice.[7] It was later revealed that hydrochlorothiazide was found in his urine – according to Johnson this was due to consuming his wife's dietary supplement – and the RFU ruled that this was due to carelessness, imposing a six-month ban on Johnson, allowing him to return to rugby duties on 7 August 2018.[8]

He departed Wasps in June 2020[9] to become a player-coach at Birmingham Moseley.[10]

Squads

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Ashley Johnson participated in the following rugby union squads:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "SA Rugby Player Profile – Ashley Johnson". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. ^ http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/TriNations/New-look-Ashley-ready-for-Oz-20110719 Sport24: New look Ashley ready for Oz
  3. ^ a b "rugby365.com | schools Ashley Johnson – captain of Paarl Gim". Archived from the original on 1 December 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2011. Ashley Johnson – captain of Paarl Gim
  4. ^ http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/BoksOnTour/Johnsons-fairytale-rise-20091105 Sport24: Johnson's fairytale rise
  5. ^ http://sport.iafrica.com/news/2023060.htm Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine iAfrica: Div names nine new Boks
  6. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2011 the Unofficial Rugby World cup website". Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2011. World Cup Web: Cheetahs swoop Currie Cup awards
  7. ^ "Ashley Johnson: Wasps forward suspended by RFU after failing drugs test". BBC. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Wasps' Ashley Johnson given backdated ban for failed drugs test". BBC. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Ashley Johnson leaves Wasps". wasps.co.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Johnson to become player-coach". SA Rugby Magazine. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
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