RobertJohnston

Showing his capabilities off the rugby field too, Robert Johnston is one of just four players to have earned the Victoria Cross – with both he and Thomas Crean on the 1896 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa.

And similarly to Crean, Johnston didn’t return to the UK, opting to play for domestic side Transvaal, eventually travelling back to Ireland in 1911.

The forward played three of the four Test matches against South Africa, only missing the last and rounding off his Tour with a try against Western Province.

Johnston also featured for Ireland, twice, both in 1893.