Johnson's offer to rescue England

By Wayne Smith
September 21, 2007

EDDIE Jones' undeclared candidacy for the England coaching position has struck a formidable obstacle following reports that 2003 World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson is prepared to take charge of the post-tournament salvage operation.

A report in London's Daily Mail yesterday claimed Johnson, the most decorated captain in British rugby history, is so distressed by the non-performance of the world champion in France that he is ready to end his three-year sabbatical in the national interest.

Although Johnson was not quoted directly, it was reported he has been angered and embarrassed by England's fall from the heights of four years ago.

In particular, he was devastated by England's humiliation last week at the hands of South Africa.

"He is totally embarrassed by the fact he is still up there as this glossy icon of English rugby and yet what he represents doesn't have much to do with what's happening to English rugby on the pitch," Danny Grewcock, a confidant of Johnson and a former Leicester teammate, said.

England has had three coaches since 2003, with Clive Woodward remaining in the job for eight Tests and a mere three wins after the Sydney triumph, before handing over to Andy Robinson, who was unable to arrest the team's steep decline.

England lost 13 of 22 Tests under Robinson, including eight of the last nine he was in charge. Under current coach Brian Ashton, England has fared little better, with five wins from 12 Tests.

Johnson has no formal coaching credentials, although his astute on-field tactical leadership suggests he would adapt to the role.

But if he were to come in as England's saviour, indications are he would seek to create a structure much like the one he experienced under Woodward. That would mean much of the actual coaching would be done by assistants while Johnson would assume a manager's role, taking charge of selections and strategy.

Although the usual suspects have been identified as contenders for the England job - Jones, South Africa's Nick Mallett and New Zealander Warren Gatland - the same resentment against a foreign coach is building in England as in Australia.

A number of senior rugby identities in Australia, not least Wallabies coach John Connolly and former captain Nick Farr-Jones, have questioned the Australian Rugby Union's steadfast pursuit of Crusaders coach Robbie Deans as the next Australia coach.

Jones has the added disadvantage of being reportedly out of favour with the RFU's (Rugby Football Union) director of elite rugby, Rob Andrew, who beat him for that job more than a year ago.

However, Jones has made quite an impression in his cameo role as technical adviser to Springboks coach Jake White.

It's not just Ashton under pressure. Eddie O'Sullivan's Ireland has been the big disappointment of the World Cup, while Wales' Gareth Jenkins has lost the support of past and present senior Welsh players.