ENGLAND rugby ­legend Martin Johnson opened the new Kingsbridge Community College rugby pitch last week.

Martin Johnson CBE captained England to their 2003 World Cup triumph, five Six Nations Championship victories, two Grand Slams and six Triple Crowns, as well as leading the British Lions to their 1997 win in South Africa, becoming the only player to captain the Lions on two separate tours.

He also helped his domestic club Leicester attain five Premiership wins and two Heineken Cup wins during his 16-year career, before becoming England manager between 2008 and 2011.

Martin spoke to pupils gathered in the hall about what it took to be at the top of ­professional sport, explaining that what set him and his teammates apart from the others was commitment and the joy of playing the game.

He then met the Year 7 rugby team before heading off to the new pitch, putting his boots on and giving a short, impromptu training session to the students, focusing on their ­passing and straight running.

KCC principal Roger Pope spoke to the ­gathered staff, pupils and members of the public about the work that has gone into the creation of the new pitch.

He thanked all those who had helped to ‘bring the project to fruition’, including ­district and county councillor Julian Brazil; Jonathan Haddy; Dave Luscombe; Chris Tucker of Cornwall Farmers; Kevin Harvey, Stuart White; Nick Grodhunce; Dom Scalon of Aspect Design; and Steve Tucker, among others, who helped with everything from donations to agricultural work to problem-solving.

Also attending the opening was Exeter Chiefs and England U20s player Stuart Townsend, who

played for Kingsbridge

RFC and attended Kingsbridge Primary School and KCC before studying for a BTEC as an independent student in sports performance and excellence at Ivybridge Community College.

Stuart scored two tries against Japan and another against Wales in England’s opening games in the 2015 World Championship, but had to return home because of a knee injury and was replaced by Will Homer.

Martin officially opened the pitch before spending time signing shirts and rugby balls and having photographs taken with the students – and some of the admiring staff – before KCC took on a visiting team on their newly opened pitch.