The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Four years is a long time for centre Johnson
Almost certain Scottish starter against Ireland was shouting on Australia in 2015 quarter-final
Four years ago, Sam Johnson was “a very different person” watching Scotland play Australia in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
“I had just arrived in Scotland,” he recalled. “I was living in a little club flat in Earl Street in Scotstoun. I remember watching that game.
“I am a very different person to the one I was four years ago. I was just this kid who had come from Australia so I was cheering for Australia.
“I did not know any better. I had no idea what was going on. I was watching it on my own and I didn’t know anybody back then. I mean, in 2013 I had no idea about rugby union. I was more a rugby league guy.”
Things are very different now, with six caps to his name and surely a starting berth in the centre against Ireland in the opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup against Ireland at Yokohama on Sunday.
However, he remembers how well he was treated when he came to Scotland, eventually to qualify under residency rules.
“It just took me a bit of time to adjust, like anybody would at 21, 22 years old,” he said.
“But because Glasgow had and still has such a good management team and many of them are at Scotland now, just makes things a lot easier transitioning into it.
“They do a really good job in turning around the guys who have just played a bit of a muck-around footy into being ready to play on the big stage.
“Also, you grow up a bit, don’t you? You realise it is a professional sport and something you don’t just muck around with and play at the weekend. The biggest change is the professionalism.”
The main question is who will line up with Johnson in the midfield – he was paired with Duncan Taylor for the final warm-up game against Georgia.
“Dunc is easy to talk to on and off the field. He is a laid-back type of guy, being a bit more mature and having been around the game a wee while, he is a calming influence.
“I am rooming with Chris Harris, who could potentially be playing at 13 and he has been really good over the summer especially. Then there is Peter Horne who I go to a lot for advice and to talk through different scenarios of what to do.
“We will see what Gregor and his coaching team come up with at the weekend.”
Ireland can spring few surprises even with injury doubts about three of their first choice backline – Robbie Henshaw is already ruled out – forcing changes.
“Because they are a home country I am probably a bit more familiar with the style of rugby they want to play,” said Johnson.
“With all these rankings, there were I don’t know how many number one teams during the summer Tests so you take that with a pinch of salt. But we all know they are class operators.
“It does help that they are a home country and we are now in at a neutral venue. That evens the playing field a bit more.
“We will be looking at a bit of film this weekend. Even though there are some really good players who are injury doubts, they would be replaced by Conway and Larmour, who just as good.
“Especially with those two, if you give them a bit of time and space they will do a bit of damage. We will look at how we want to play the game tactically and how to eliminate that threat.”