Exactly 10 years after Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy and England bestrode the rugby world as World Cup winners, around 600 supporters shared in the celebration at the home of the Leicester Tigers in a unique evening supported by Mattioli Woods.
England coach Woodward, captain Martin Johnson and fellow World Cup winners Martin Corry, Trevor Woodman and Dorian West were among the special guests for the evening.
England players of following generations – Mathew Tait, Tom Croft and Manu Tuilagi – also shared in the occasion.
Friday, November 22, 2003 is a date that lives on in the memory of all England supporters, the day when victory over host nation Australia was sealed with a last-gasp drop goal from fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and Woodward’s squad became the first northern hemisphere team to win the World Cup.
The heroes of 2003 shared their recollections of the tournament, the battle to reach the final and then the rollercoaster of the decisive game.
“We had to battle right through the tournament,” Johnson said.
“We never had a smooth run but in many ways that was good because it meant we had to keep battling and working. In the end it comes down to the determination of the teams when you are stood toe to toe.
“There was a sense of relief at the final whistle, then satisfaction comes into it, that you’ve finally done it.”
As well as hearing from the players at the centre of the action, Friday’s event also featured a look behind the scenes and, of course, video clips of the defining moments in the tournament.
