Louie Johnson

Louie Johnson

Date of birth	(2003-06-13) 13 June 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth	Carlisle, England
Height	185 cm (6 ft 1 in) [1]
Weight	93 kg (14 st 9 lb) [1]
School	Sedbergh School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Full-back Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2022–2024 Newcastle Falcons 16 (72) 2024– Saracens 0 (0) Correct as of 25 June 2024 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2022 England U19 1 (0) 2022–2023 England U20 13 (20) Correct as of 14 July 2023

Louie Johnson (born 13 June 2003) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a fly-half or full-back for Premiership Rugby club Saracens. At international level he represented the England U20 team.

Early life

Born in Carlisle, Johnson played age-group rugby for Penrith RUFC from the age of six, where his father Gary worked as a coach, prior to joining up with the Newcastle academy aged 13. He attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith and captained Sedbergh School, and also ran nationally in the 800 metres athletics at age-group level. ^{[2] [3]}

Career

Johnson was promoted to the Newcastle Falcons senior academy ahead of the 2021-22 season. ^[4] He made his Newcastle debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Northampton Saints in March 2022. ^{[5] [6]}

In October 2022, he scored a last minute conversion to seal a 32-31 win over Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Rugby Cup. ^[7]

In April 2024, having made 16 league appearances for Newcastle, Johnson was announced to be joining Saracens on a long-term contract. ^[8]

International career

In February 2022 Johnson made his debut for England U20 against Scotland in the opening round of the 2022 U-20 Six Nations. ^[9] He played for England at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship, starting the semi-final defeat against France. ^[10] In the game Johnson showed "sharp thinking" to intercept the ball which led to England’s second try. ^[11] He also featured in their last fixture of the tournament which saw them lose to hosts South Africa to finish fourth. ^[12]

Style of play

Johnson's position is listed as full-back or fly-half. ^[13]

References

1. "Louie Johnson". All Rugby. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
2. Mockford, Sarah (14 July 2021). "Hotshot: Newcastle fly-half Louie Johnson". Rugby World. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
3. "Young Gun: Newcastle Falcons fly-half Louie Johnson". The Rugby Paper. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
4. Cavanagh, Gareth (2 May 2021). "Cumbrian rugby union prodigies signed to Newcastle Falcons academy". Newsandstar.co.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
5. "Falcons freshen up for Saints trip". Rugby Network. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
6. Coles, Ben (6 September 2022). "The academy stars to watch out for this Premiership season". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
7. "Premiership Rugby Cup: Newcastle and Bristol secure bonus-point wins". BBC Sport. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
8. "Saracens sign fly-half Johnson from Newcastle". BBC Sport. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
9. "Louie's start for England under-20s Six Nations opener". CWHerald. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
10. "England U20 men's side to face France in semi final clash". England Rugby. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
11. Coles, Ben (10 July 2023). "England's next generation: The U20 stars of tomorrow who could break into Steve Borthwick's squad" . The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
12. Powell, Nick (16 July 2023). "We made too many mistakes, admits Chessum". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
13. ""The future" – The Telegraph back five England youngsters for 2027 World Cup". Ruck.co.uk. Ruck. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.