John is the son of the former Glasgow, Scotland and British Lions international forward of the same name.
He scored a debut try for Scotland against Romania in the first of the 2006 Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests. Sadly John's luck changed in the next match, against the Pacific Islanders, as he sustained ankle ligament damage early in the contest.
John returned to the national colours three months later in the A international victory against the Italians at McDiarmid Park, Perth, and he was back in the Scotland XV to make his Six Nations Championship debut in the 2007 tournament’s final match against France in Paris.
John joined Glasgow on an apprentice contract in summer 2004 and made his first competitive start for the team in the Celtic League match against Ospreys at Swansea in October 2004. He has played under-18 and under-19 rugby for Glasgow and has represented Scotland at under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels.
His under-19 honours included playing at No.8 in all five of Scotland’s matches in the IRB world championship in Durban, South Africa, in April 2004.
Because of injury his under-21 international debut was delayed until March 2005, when he made a replacement appearance in the Northampton victory against England in Scotland’s final championship match.
He subsequently played in all five matches in the under-21 world championship in Mendoza, Argentina, and after recovering from illness he returned to the team in 2006 for the 24-21 victory against Ireland at Athlone as well as playing in the 21-14 win against Italy in Benevento.
John was educated at Glasgow Academy and played for Aberdeen Grammar School FP in the BT Premier Division One during season 2002/2003.