Leonard has train named in his honour

England’s record-breaking England prop Jason Leonard has had a train named after him.

The c2c commuter train which travels between London’s Fenchurch Station and Southend now carries a nameplate in honour of his career.

The state-of-the-art train, one of a new £350m (€523m) fleet, carries millions of commuters through Jason’s native Essex every day.

The 35-year-old Harlequins player retired from international rugby after winning a record 114 caps for England culminating in last year’s World Cup triumph.

He said: “I thought parading around London on an open- topped bus was the peak of my career after the World Cup but having a train named after me, is a real tribute. I am very, very flattered.”

Spokesman for c2c, Jonathan O’Neill said: “In the railway business this is recognised as the highest form of tribute to any one person. We have had trains named after individuals who have given years of exemplary service but this is the first sportsman we have honoured in this way.”