JOHNSON FEELS LEAN AND MEAN
SAM JOHNSON may have slimmed down since arriving in Scotland three years ago from Australia, but his appetite for success is growing. When the 24-year-old centre from Queensland came to Glasgow, his only ambition was to nail down a regular starting slot with the Warriors. Now, however, he has surpassed his own expectations — and is on course to be the latest player to represent Scotland through the residency rule.
Sportsmail understands that Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, who signed him for Glasgow when he was in charge, has been keeping a close eye on his form. ‘I will be qualified for Scotland, but I didn’t come here to be Scotland qualified,’ admitted Johnson. ‘I am a proud Australian, but coming here and getting a bit of attention has been good. ‘Scotland has developed me. Credit goes to the Glasgow coaching staff and past staff like Gregor and his assistant Matt Taylor for my development. ‘I came here as an unknown. I was quite fat because I was coming off shoulder surgery, so I was 102 kilos (16st 1lb) when I arrived and now I am 95 kilos (14 stone 9 lbs). ‘I needed a bit of development work and after a couple of years I started to feel the benefit. ‘I feel very much at home now and have a beautiful Scottish girlfriend. Life is good in Glasgow. I’m really enjoying it.’ Johnson will be one of the last players that can qualify for Scotland through the old three-year residency rule. Anybody who arrived in the country since the start of 2018 will have to serve five years before being able to switch allegiances due to rule changes put in place by World Rugby.